Phillylactrosse.com, Posted 2/1/18
From Press Release
The Monmouth University men’s lacrosse team has been picked to finish first in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference’s Annual Preseason Coaches’ Poll, it was announced by the conference on Tuesday.
Monmouth coach Brian Fisher (Ridley grad)
Monmouth, was a unanimous pick to finish first (49 points) ahead of second-place Marist (42) in the poll. Finishing third was Quinnipiac (30), while Detroit Mercy (23), Siena (22), Canisius (21) and Manhattan (9) rounded out the ballot.
“Being selected as the preseason favorite is always nice because it is a vote by your peers,” said Monmouth head coach Brian Fisher, a Rodley High grad. “There are a lot of good coaches and programs in our conference and to be recognized by them is certainly very nice. We are coming off a championship, but it is a preseason poll and we have a lot of work to do to be where we want to be.”
In addition, Monmouth placed three student-athletes on the Preseason All-MAAC team. Senior attackman Bryce Wasserman, redshirt-senior midfielder Dylan Schulte (Seneca-NJ), and senior defender Garrett Pfeifer were honored.
Wasserman started in all 18 games as a junior, setting the Monmouth single-season points (45), goals (29) and assists (16) records while earning First Team All-MAAC honors on attack in 2017. Wasserman is Monmouth’s all-time leader in career assists (33) and game-winning goals (7).
Schulte totaled 18 points, including 11 goals and seven assists while earning Second Team All-MAAC status as a midfielder in 2017. Schulte was second on the team with 37 ground balls, third on the team with 15 caused turnovers, and had two game-winning goals, including one in the MAAC Championship game at Marist.
Pfeifer finished second on the team with 18 caused turnovers and fifth on the team with 33 ground balls while earning First Team All-MAAC recognition in 2017. Pfeifer played with a defense that held 14 of 18 opponents to less than 10 goals. Monmouth’s defense ranked second in the nation with 7.39 goals allowed per game.
Monmouth begins its 2018 season on Saturday, February 17 when it travels to Princeton. Game time is set for 1 p.m.
Attack:
Conor Kearnan, CAN
Bryce Wasserman, MON
Chris Robertson, SIE
Midfield:
Gannon Morrison, MAR
Dylan Schulte (Seneca-NJ), MON
Foster Cuomo, QUI
Defense:
Logan Monroe, CAN
Garrett Pfeifer, MON
Riley Palmer, QUI
LSM:
Adam Bellamy, QUI
SSM:
Charlie Hayes, DET
Face-Off Specialist:
Will Vitelli – QU
Goalkeeper:
Brian Corrigan – MAR*
Preseason Player of the Year:
Chris Robertson – SIE
Coaches Poll:
1. Monmouth – 49* (7)
2. Marist – 42
3. Quinnipiac – 30
4. Detroit Mercy – 23
5. Siena – 22
6. Canisius – 21
7. Manhattan – 9
* denotes unanimous selection