Men's Lacrosse Leads ECC Preseason Coaches' Tally

2/7/2014 11:23:00 AM

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (Feb. 7, 2013) - The LIU Post men's lacrosse team has claimed the top position in the 2014 East Coast Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, released Friday. The Pioneers narrowly edged NYIT with 77 points and five first-place votes.

Last year, LIU Post posted an overall record of 11-3, and a flawless ECC mark of 7-0, while NYIT, which totaled 76 points and four first-place nods, was 12-3, and 6-1 in league contests. Dowling (55 points) placed third in the ledger, followed by Chestnut Hill (51 points) and Molloy (50 points) to round out the Top-5.

Mercy came in sixth with 41 points. Roberts Wesleyan (28 points), Dominican (15 points) and District of Columbia (12 points) completed the tally.

The Pioneers return nine of their 10 starters, and 27 letterwinners from last year's squad. They captured the ECC's regular-season title, but dropped a heartbreaking 9-8 decision to Le Moyne in the first round of the NCAA Division II Tournament.

Among the top returnees are senior defenseman T.J. McAndrew (Randolph, N.J.), junior defenseman Robbie Chiocco (Massapequa, N.Y.), and sophomore attackmen Matty Beccaris (North Babylon, N.Y.) and Ryan Slane (North Babylon, N.Y.).

McAndrew, a 2013 USILA All-America second-team selection, caused the league's third-highest and Division II's 10th-most turnovers (27) a season ago. He also scooped up 38 ground balls in the process. Chiocco, who was named to the All-ECC second-team, ranked fourth in the ECC, and 20th in the country in caused turnovers (21).

The reigning ECC Rookie of the Year, Beccaris led all scorers for the green and gold with 50 points (35 G, 15 A). He was listed in the Top-10 in the conference in nine different statistical categories. Slane was LIU Post's second-leading point-getter at 43 (30 G, 13 A), and garnered All-ECC second-team accolades for his efforts.

Head Coach John Jez and the Pioneers open up the 2014 campaign next Saturday (Feb. 15) in Charlotte, N.C. at Queens. The opening faceoff is set for 2 p.m.

2014 ECC Men's Lacrosse Preseason Poll