STONY BROOK, N.Y. - Stony Brook's men's lacrosse team, which came within one goal of the Final Four a year ago, is ranked in the top 10 of a pair of preseason polls for the upcoming 2011 season. The Seawolves are ranked fifth in the United States
Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Coaches' Poll and eighth in
the Nike/Inside Lacrosse Media Poll, it was announced on Monday.
Stony Brook, which went 13-4 in 2010 and won its first America East title since 2002, returns 94 percent of its scoring from a team that was fourth nationally averaging 13.2 goals per game. That group consists of three preseason All-Americans, seniors Kevin Crowley, Tom Compitello and Jordan McBride, who combined for for 136 goals and 69 assists in 2010.
The Seawolves downed Denver in the first round of the NCAA tournament last year before falling to Virginia, 10-9, in the quarterfinals. Stony Brook opens its season against UVA, top-ranked team in the country, on Feb. 26.