Siena Earns Top Spot in Men's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches Poll
MAAC Sports
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Edison, NJ ? The Siena College Saints were selected as the team to beat in the MAAC Lacrosse League in 2008, according to the league’s nine head coaches.
The Saints, who had 79 points out of a possible 81, will be led by Preseason Player of the Year Matt Girsh. Girsh, the 2007 MAAC Offensive Player of the Year, led the league last season in goals per game (2.94) and game-winning goals (4). 2007 Anaconda Sports Coach of the Year Brian Brecht returns for his fourth season in charge of the Saints.
Providence College, who upset Siena 9-7 in last year’s MAAC championship game, finished second in the poll with 66 points. Canisius College was third with 62 points. Saint Joseph’s was fourth with 56 points, followed by Marist (41), Manhattan and Mount St. Mary’s (37), VMI (17), and Wagner (10).
The preseason All-MAAC team consists of attackers Girsh, Canisius’ Mike Blocho, Marist’s Matt Teichmann, Siena’s Ryan Duggan and VMI’s Kevin Hill. The midfielders are Canisius’ Tom Hensel, Marist’s Peter O’Hara, and Siena’s Shaun Dunn. Manhattan’s Corey Dolik, Mount St. Mary’s Phil Thomas, and Siena’s Chris Viviano were selected as the defensemen. 2007 co-Rookie of the Year Brent Herbst was chosen as the goalkeeper.
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Preseason Coaches’ Poll
1. Siena 79
2. Providence 66
3. Canisius 62
4. Saint Joseph’s 56
5. Marist 41
6. Manhattan 37
Mt. St. Mary’s 37
8. VMI 17
9. Wagner 10
Preseason All-MAAC Team
Mike Blocho Canisius
Attack
Matt Teichmann Marist
Attack
Ryan Duggan Siena
Attack
Matt Girsh
Siena Attack
Kevin Hill VMI Attack
Corey Dolik Manhattan
Defense
Phil Thomas Mt. St. Mary’s
Defense
Chris Viviano
Siena Defense
Tom Hensel Canisius
Midfield
Peter O’Hara Marist
Midfield
Shaun Dunn Siena
Midfield
Brent Herbst Siena
Goalkeeper
Preseason Player of the Year
Matt Girsh Siena