Sparkill, N.Y. – On Wednesday, the East Coast Conference announced the results of its Men's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches Poll, with St. Thomas Aquinas College picked to finish fifth in the league's standings.
The Spartans posted a 6-7 record (2-4 ECC) in 2023 and will return 19 players from last year's squad, including; Joseph Longobardo, James Staeckeler, Craig Peavy, Reno Molina, JT Perry, Bo Maroney, Chris Caldara, James Guild, Devin Sierra, Frank Schaefer, Justin Chin, Jeremy Poggi, John Pena, Austin Palen, Jeremy Schucker, Nicholas Carravone, Michael Huff, Jonathan Farley and Ryan Christensen.
Fifth year head coach Larry Ayers has added a mix of upperclassmen and freshman for the upcoming campaign. Joseph Casarella (Attack | Sloatsburg, N.Y.), Delroy Ellis, Jr. (Midfield/Attack | Bronx, N.Y.), Justin Avella (Goalie | Thornwood, N.Y.), Kyle Bross (Midfield | Newington, Conn.), Andre Blakney (Midfield | Camden, N.J.), Matthew Drayton (Midfield | Freeport, N.Y.), Kyle Kuhn (Midfield | Hicksville, N.Y.), John Morris (Long-Stick Midfielder | Livonia, Mich.) and Ethan Singh (Defense | Kingston, N.Y.) make up the new faces who will bring their skills and talents to Sparkill for the new season.
St. Thomas Aquinas will battle four-time defending ECC Champs Mercy University, along with Frostburg State University, Roberts Wesleyan University, Molloy University, D'Youville University and the University of the District of Columbia for the right to be called ECC Men's Lacrosse Champion. The teams will only play each other once in the regular season.
The action gets underway for the Spartans on Saturday, February 10 (Noon) against non-conference opponent Chowan University in Murfreesboro, North Carolina.
2024 ECC Men's Lacrosse Preseason Poll
1. Mercy
47 points (5 first-place votes)
14-4 (6-0 ECC) in 2023
2. Frostburg State
42 points (2 first-place votes)
13-5 (4-2 ECC) in 2023
3. Roberts Wesleyan
33 points
9-5 (4-2 ECC) in 2023
4. Molloy
32 points
9-9 (4-2 ECC) in 2023
5. St. Thomas Aquinas
19 points
6-7 (2-4 ECC) in 2023
6. D'Youville
14 points
4-11 (1-5 ECC) in 2023
7. District of Columbia
9 points
0-10 (0-6 ECC) in 2023
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Bubba Love, Gr., A., Frostburg State
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Justin Gerdvil, Gr., D, Mercy