Skyline Releases Men's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches'
Poll
- Rams selected to finish fourth -
LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – After going
unbeaten in Skyline Conference regular-season play last year,
Montclair State has been selected as the Skyline Conference
preseason favorite in men's lacrosse by the league's six head
coaches. The Red Hawks, who earned three first-place votes and 23
points, edged out defending Skyline tournament champion Kean, which
recorded two first-place votes and 20 points.
Just two points separated Maritime (17) and Farmingdale State
(15), reflecting the competitive play of the conference last
season. Richard Stockton (10) was picked fifth and Mount Saint
Vincent (5) finished sixth. The Skyline Conference will be
expanding to seven teams in 2010 with the addition of Bard College,
and eight teams in 2011 with the addition of Mount Saint Mary
College.
Last season, Montclair State finished 12-5 overall and 5-2 in
Skyline Conference play before falling to third-seeded Kean in the
championship game of the conference tournament. With eight
All-Skyline players returning from last season, the Red Hawks have
their sights set on a Skyline championship and an NCAA Tournament
bid. Senior goalkeeper Thomas Bowers, the Skyline Co-Player of the
Year last season, anchors a Montclair defense that includes
all-conference defensemen Patrick Ferry and Anthony Dzienkiewicz.
Taylor Bonner, John Schiavone, A.J. Bachman, Collin Marsh and Mario
Passafiume are returning all-conference selections.
Kean finished 14-6 and 3-2 in Skyline regular-season play. The
Cougars, seeded third in the conference tournament, earned
victories on the road over second-seeded Maritime and top-seeded
Montclair State en route to their first Skyline title and NCAA bid.
In doing so, Kean became the first No. 3 seed to win the
Skyline/Knickerbocker tournament. The Cougars return four
All-Skyline players in Scott Leathem, Nick Miceli, C.J. Gannon and
Tom Eller.
Maritime (11-5, 4-1 Skyline) is coming off one of its most
successful seasons when it earned an ECAC Tournament bid last
season. The Privateers must replace Skyline Co-Player of the Year,
D.J. Toby who had been one of the conference's top midfielders and
faceoff specialists over the past four seasons. With a deep roster
consisting of 47 players, many of the younger Maritime players
should step up and flourish this season.
SKYLINE CONFERENCE
MEN’S LACROSSE
2009 PRESEASON COACHES’ POLL
1. Montclair State (3) 23
2. Kean (2) 20
3. Maritime 17
4. Farmingdale State (1) 15
5. Richard Stockton 10
6. Mount Saint Vincent 5
(first-place votes in parentheses)
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