Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 1/25/24 – From Press Release

The BIG EAST Conference has announced the preseason honors for men’s lacrosse. Senior defenseman Reid Colwell was a unanimous selection to the All-BIG EAST Preseason Team and the Wildcats were picked fourth garnering 14 points in the coaches’ poll. The ‘Cats have been picked to finish in the top four of their conference 15 consecutive seasons dating back to their CAA days.

Colwell receives another honor before the start of the 2024 season. Having already been named an Inside Lacrosse All-American he will be tasked with slowing down the conference’s top attackers.

In the coaches’ poll, defending champion Georgetown received five first place votes and 25 total points with runner up Denver receiving one first place vote and 21 points. Marquette follows with 16 points then Villanova with 14. The ‘Cats have notably beaten Marquette eight straight times with this year’s matchup on March 20^th crucial for seeding. Providence was picked fifth with nine points and St. John’s received five points in the poll.

Villanova coach Mike Corrado’s team is on a historic run in the BIG EAST. The Wildcats have qualified for the conference tournament every year since it began in 2012 and have boosted eight winning seasons in that span.

Conference play begins on March 30th when the ‘Cats host Denver at Villanova Stadium.

BIG EAST Preseason Men’s Lacrosse Coaches’ Poll
First-place votes in ( )
1. Georgetown (5)  25 pts.
2. Denver (1)            21
3. Marquette           16
4. Villanova             14
5. Providence           9
6. St. John’s              5
 
BIG EAST Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Graham Bundy, Jr., Georgetown, M ^
 
BIG EAST Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Mason Woodward, Marquette, D ^
 
Preseason All-BIG EAST Team
AJ Mercurio, Denver, D ^
JJ Sillstrop, Denver, A
Alec Stathakis, Denver, FOS ^
Graham Bundy, Jr., Georgetown, M ^
Dylan Hess, Georgetown, SSD
Alex Vardaro, Georgetown, M ^
Devon Cowan (Hun School/Duke’s LC), Marquette, A ^
Bobby O’Grady, Marquette, A
Mason Woodward, Marquette, D ^
Ryan Bell, Providence, M
Michael Chabra, Providence, M
James Corasantiti, Providence, GK ^
Reid Colwell, Villanova, D ^
 
^ denotes unanimous selection