2009 National Champion Men's Lacrosse Tops ECC Preseason Poll; Leonard Voted Defensive Player Of The Year
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (Feb. 12, 2010) – The East Coast Conference released the 2010 men's lacrosse preseason poll and C.W. Post was voted by the coaches as the favorite in the field of 11 schools. Graduate student Bryan Leonard (Yorktown, N.Y.) was tabbed as Preseason Defender of the Year.
The Pioneers accumulated 111 total points with five first-place votes to take the top spot on the Preseason Poll. They compiled an overall record of 15-1 in 2009, suffering their only loss to Le Moyne College. Their trip to the NCAA Tournament featured a decisive win over Limestone College, and then a one goal victory over number one Le Moyne in the final.
Second in the poll was Mercyhurst College, who garnered four first-place votes, followed by New York Institute of Technology, Dowling College, and Molloy College. ECC newcomers Seton Hill and Wheeling Jesuit placed sixth and seventh, respectively, while Dominican College and Mercy College were eighth and ninth. Also new to the conference this season is No. 10 Chestnut Hill and No. 11 Lake Erie.
Leonard is a two-time All-American selection and was a 2009 ECAC All-Star as well as an ECC All-Conference First Team. Leonard scooped up 21 groundballs and caused 19 turnovers while contributing two goals and an assist for three points on the 2009 season.
Dowling's John McClure was voted Preseason Player of the Year. The junior was a 2009 ECAC All-Star and was named to the ECC All-Conference First Team. Leonard scooped up 21 groundballs and caused 19 turnovers while contributing two goals and an assist for three points on the 2009 season.
C.W. Post opens its season Feb. 13 at Queens University of Charlotte, N.C.
2010 East Coast Conference Preseason Poll
School Points
1. C.W. Post (5) 111
2. Mercyhurst (4) 108
3. NYIT (2) 103
4. Dowling 91
5. Molloy 73
6. Seton Hill 65
7. Wheeling Jesuit 61
8. Dominican 45
9. Mercy 34
10. Chestnut Hill 20
11. Lake Erie 15
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: John McClure, Sr., ATT, Dowling
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year:
Bryan Leonard, Sr., DEF., C.W. Post