Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 1/20/26
From Press Release
Fresh off a third BIG EAST title game appearance in four years, Villanova men’s lacrosse was selected to finish second in the 2026 BIG EAST Preseason Poll announced by the conference on Tuesday afternoon.
In addition, three Wildcats earned mention on the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team as Jake Melchionni, Colin Michener (Penn Charter) and Jack Shoemaker each picked up unanimous honors.
The ‘Cats, who received votes in the opening Inside Lacrosse top 20 media poll, earned the lone non-Georgetown first place vote in the coaches’ poll, finishing with 21 total points to grab second place.
Villanova ended up just a few points behind the Hoyas for first place with Denver pulling up in third, Marquette in fourth and Providence and St. John’s rounding out the final spots.
After a breakout season that saw him earn BIG EAST Co-Specialist of the Year and multiple All-America accolades, Melchionni was one of three Villanovans unanimously chosen for the preseason team. The junior LSM accounted for 24 caused turnovers and 49 ground balls last year in addition to 11 points, wreaking havoc in the middle of the field for the ‘Cats.
Two-time Second Team All-BIG EAST attackman Michener was selected to the preseason team after tying for a team-high 40 points last year featuring 14 assists and a BIG EAST attack-best seven caused turnovers. The senior has contributed 63 total goals in just two years of action, ranking in VU’s all-time top 10 for goals per game.
Shoemaker follows up a unanimous selection to last year’s All-BIG EAST First Team with his second straight preseason nod, causing 17 turnovers last year to help the ‘Cats to a share of the league’s regular season title. The California native has appeared in 46 games on the defensive end at VU, totaling more than 70 ground balls as a Wildcat.
Villanova begins its 2026 campaign on Saturday, February 7 at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium, taking on the Nittany Lions at 1:00 p.m. in University Park.
BIG EAST Preseason Men’s Lacrosse Coaches’ Poll
First-place votes in ( )
1. Georgetown (5) 25 pts.
2. Villanova (1) 21
3. Denver 16
4. Marquette 12
5. Providence 11
5. St. John’s 5
BIG EAST Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Richie Joseph, A, Sr., Providence
BIG EAST Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Ty Banks, D, Jr., Georgetown ^
Preseason All-BIG EAST Team *
Cody Malawsky, A, R-Jr., Denver ^
Ty Banks, D, Jr., Georgetown ^
Rory Connor, A, Gr., Georgetown
Anderson Moore, GK, Jr., Georgetown ^
Robert Plath, D, So., Georgetown
Ross Prince (Springside Chestnut Hill), FOS, So., Georgetown ^
Jack Ransom, A, So., Georgetown
Peter Detwiler (Conestoga), M, Sr., Marquette
Nolan Rappis, A, Gr., Marquette ^
Rhett Chambers, A, Jr., Providence
Richie Joseph, A, Sr., Providence ^
Adrian Nowak, A, R-Jr., St. John’s
Jake Melchionni, LSM, Jr., Villanova ^
Colin Michener (Penn Charter), A, Sr., Villanova ^
Jack Shoemaker, D, Sr., Villanova ^
^ denotes unanimous selection
* due to a tie, 15 players are on the All-BIG EAST Team
