Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 2/26/11
From Press Releases
Widener has been selected to repeat as Middle Atlantic Conference champions according to a poll of the league’s coaches.
The Pride (10-10) are coming off their 12th Middle Atlantic Conference title, their fifth in six years and eighth trip to the NCAA Tournament. Widener became the first team to capture the MAC Tournament by winning three such games on the road.
Widener opens its season today against second-ranked SUNY Cortland, beginning at 1:00 pm at Leslie C. Quick Jr. Stadium.
The announcement comes less than two weeks after the Pride received votes in the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association Coaches Preseason Poll.
Widener has many options on a powerful offense. Senior Steve Cull (Haverford High) is the team’s leader scorer among returnees, closing last season with 23 goals and 30 points. Senior Andrew Janusz (Easton) was tabbed second team all-conference by ending with 14 goals and 19 points. Junior Ryan Shewell was picked honorable mention all-league, finishing with 10 goals and 28 points.
The defense once again looks strong with the return of sophomore goalkeeper Bobby Schluter (Tatnall School, DE), who went 9-7 last season and made 10 saves in the conference final at FDU-Florham that included seven in the fourth quarter. Senior Matt Parrott (Downingtown West), one of three to start all 20 games a year ago, and senior Chris Keating also will play a role on defense.
Widener also gets a boost with the return of senior defender Nick Politarhos (Ridley) and sophomore attacker Johnny Casey (Abington), who each missed most of last year due to injury. Politarhos is a two-time first team All-MAC pick and was tabbed honorable mention Preseason All-America in 2009 and 2010. Casey was named the 2010 MAC Rookie of the Year.
Also, Widener is boosted by the addition of transfer Whit Bruemmer (Council Rock South), an attackman who had 49 goals and 18 assists for DeSales last year as a sophomore.
MAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll
1. Widener – 116 pts. (9)
2. FDU-Florham – 102 pts. (1)
3. Elizabethtown – 98 pts.
4. Eastern – 95 pts. (2)
5. Messiah – 81 pts.
6. Lycoming – 75 pts.
7t. King’s – 51 pts.
7t. DeSales – 51 pts.
9. Manhattanville – 49 pts.
10. Lebanon Valley – 31 pts.
11. Misericordia – 24pts.
12. Alvernia – 14 pts.
