MAC 2025

[slumdogmillionaire]

My Way Too Early (Combined) Rankings
1. Stevens - The Ducks reload with consistently large transfer classes and seemingly has an endless arsenal of offensive firepower. Multiple All-Americans returning as well.
2. Stevenson - Originally thought it was a toss up with York until I saw that they were returning their top 5 scorers. The Mustangs do however need to figure out their goalie situation, 45% on the year will not cut it with (Dark Horse) Messiah.
3. York - Coming off a 10-8 season with a head-scratching loss to Eastern, yet they did beat down the 'Stangs by 10+. Hard to not have faith in the staff, rebound season is likely.
4. Messiah - I was going to put a MAC Freedom team here but Messiah has a lot of returning firepower. Teresky and Berg could seriously make All American arguments if they have a repeat season with a few more wins.
5. Arcadia - They gave Stevens the most trouble this past year and I do like their offense. Defense is large and slender as well. Two losses to Desales sting, they'll be better this year.
6. Hood - Lots returning, could beat a couple teams and make some noise.
7. Eastern - Hot and cold team, impressive win against York but got completely dismantled by Stevens. Make or break year coming.
8. Misericordia - I can see the Cougars making a run to the Freedom final, they're getting a lot coming back. Baseball team winning the D3 chip can only mean good things for the school's image and funding, not a massive help but still worth mentioning.
9. Desales - Losing a lot, D-Mid Chase Bowman was severely underrated for these guys especially in the clearing game. He will be missed.
10. Lebanon Valley - Starting to creep into the lower half of the D3 realm, the Finnish player Kiviniemi is a rather large loss.
11. Widener - Honestly not too sure of these guys, got to see their campus recently and I will say they have one of the nicer D3 stadiums I've see. (Best venue belongs to Arcadia, those castles are insane).
12. Albright - Looks like a middle school team, however still competent enough to not be in the bottom 3.
13. King's - Impressively bad team, got in the win column a few times though. Maybe they can turn some more football players into playable bodies.
14. Del Val - If they even have a team. 15 player's isn't viable for long term. They need a large freshman class for their own survival.
15. Alvernia - Sabarese is the only bright spot here.
16. FDU - The top 30 high schools in New Jersey could beat this team and that's lowballing. They didn't even have a rostered goaltender towards the end of the year. Pretty sure they need a coach as well.

I'm not 100% confident in this list and am for sure not overly knowledgeable about most of these teams so I am def willing to hear some thoughts. Nonetheless, should be a fun year of MACtion. Praying for a safe season for all

[DeepPocket]

Enjoyed reading your takes. Impressive conference knowledge all the way down the line.

There’s a pretty good mix of MAC fandoms represented on here in the season; Bunch of York and Stevens, a Stevenson and a Messiah.

Who’s your rooting interest? (Hope it’s someplace new)

[slumdogmillionaire]

Enjoyed reading your takes. Impressive conference knowledge all the way down the line.

There’s a pretty good mix of MAC fandoms represented on here in the season; Bunch of York and Stevens, a Stevenson and a Messiah.

Who’s your rooting interest? (Hope it’s someplace new)

Thanks DP! I only recently been following these guys and would have to go with the Ducks as my squad. I grew up close to the FDU campus and was obsessed with the Stevenson U docs from ECD when I was younger but I really appreciate it all in general. Really a slept on umbrella conference especially with Drake Porter at Messiah and Ryan Drenner at York. Obviously not a Liberty League, ODAC, or Centennial but its still a ton of fun!

[DeepPocket]

Enjoyed reading your takes. Impressive conference knowledge all the way down the line.

There’s a pretty good mix of MAC fandoms represented on here in the season; Bunch of York and Stevens, a Stevenson and a Messiah.

Who’s your rooting interest? (Hope it’s someplace new)

Thanks DP! I only recently been following these guys and would have to go with the Ducks as my squad. I grew up close to the FDU campus and was obsessed with the Stevenson U docs from ECD when I was younger but I really appreciate it all in general. Really a slept on umbrella conference especially with Drake Porter at Messiah and Ryan Drenner at York. Obviously not a Liberty League, ODAC, or Centennial but its still a ton of fun!

Nice! Yes, I see big things coming in the MAC. Stevens, Stevenson and York have been perennial top 20s. Messiah and Eastern seemingly on the cusp, in and out of the top 35 conversation. Arcadia, Hood, DeSales and Misericordia making strides every year.

2 AQs. Potential for a true power conference. Good stuff.

[Laxattackjack]

i will make a bold prediction that 2025 won’t see much change in the MAC

York and Stevens will go undefeated again
those will be the only two teams from the MAC to make the tourney.

every team is losing key parts. but York and Stevens are just deeper. it took Easterns best game of the year vs Yorks worst game of the year, for Eastern to win by one goal. it won’t happen again. we saw how well York can dominate anyone in the MAC (even Stevenson) when they are up for the game.

the only change i am predicting for the Freedom is that Hood will make the playoffs over Eastern this year.

[NElaxtalent]

My Way Too Early (Combined) Rankings
1. Stevens - The Ducks reload with consistently large transfer classes and seemingly has an endless arsenal of offensive firepower. Multiple All-Americans returning as well.
2. Stevenson - Originally thought it was a toss up with York until I saw that they were returning their top 5 scorers. The Mustangs do however need to figure out their goalie situation, 45% on the year will not cut it with (Dark Horse) Messiah.
3. York - Coming off a 10-8 season with a head-scratching loss to Eastern, yet they did beat down the 'Stangs by 10+. Hard to not have faith in the staff, rebound season is likely.
4. Messiah - I was going to put a MAC Freedom team here but Messiah has a lot of returning firepower. Teresky and Berg could seriously make All American arguments if they have a repeat season with a few more wins.

While I agree exactly with your 2025 projections, I would make my Commonwealth ones in pencil.

York has relinquished their Commonwealth stranglehold (obviously), yielding to Stevenson via a loss to struggling Eastern, while also giving up 19 goals to Messiah at the end of the regular season.

The case for Stevenson is thus weakened by their late season, 12 goal loss to York. That concerning result is supported by also yielding 19 goals to Messiah in the semi-final W. Thr Union W (@ Union) is impressive but bear in mind Union had been the subject of a ton of over-rated conversation all season. Hard to say.

Of note, both York and Stevenson graduate a ton, especially on Defense. Messiah does not. Again, I agree on your rankings but I would not be surprised at all by a 2025 realignment. The transfer portal, incoming Freshmen and 2025 roster health / depth will be key factors.

[Laxattackjack]

My Way Too Early (Combined) Rankings
1. Stevens - The Ducks reload with consistently large transfer classes and seemingly has an endless arsenal of offensive firepower. Multiple All-Americans returning as well.
2. Stevenson - Originally thought it was a toss up with York until I saw that they were returning their top 5 scorers. The Mustangs do however need to figure out their goalie situation, 45% on the year will not cut it with (Dark Horse) Messiah.
3. York - Coming off a 10-8 season with a head-scratching loss to Eastern, yet they did beat down the 'Stangs by 10+. Hard to not have faith in the staff, rebound season is likely.
4. Messiah - I was going to put a MAC Freedom team here but Messiah has a lot of returning firepower. Teresky and Berg could seriously make All American arguments if they have a repeat season with a few more wins.

While I agree exactly with your 2025 projections, I would make my Commonwealth ones in pencil.

York has relinquished their Commonwealth stranglehold (obviously), yielding to Stevenson via a loss to struggling Eastern, while also giving up 19 goals to Messiah at the end of the regular season.

The case for Stevenson is thus weakened by their late season, 12 goal loss to York. That concerning result is supported by also yielding 19 goals to Messiah in the semi-final W. Thr Union W (@ Union) is impressive but bear in mind Union had been the subject of a ton of over-rated conversation all season. Hard to say.

Of note, both York and Stevenson graduate a ton, especially on Defense. Messiah does not. Again, I agree on your rankings but I would not be surprised at all by a 2025 realignment. The transfer portal, incoming Freshmen and 2025 roster health / depth will be key factors.

how has york relinquished to stevenson when they have haven’t lost to them in a few years, and each win seems to be by a larger margin. if you watched the most recent game, it looked like york was subbing in the bench early in the second half, and still maintained the dominance. york is still the king until stevenson can knock them down.

[NElaxtalent]

I'm NOT a Stevenson guy but I'm pretty sure they have a 2024 Trophy that says MAC-COMMONWEALTH Champions along with an NCAA road win (on #11s home field).

Just my $0.02

[DeepPocket]

I'm NOT a Stevenson guy but I'm pretty sure they have a 2024 Trophy that says MAC-COMMONWEALTH Champions along with an NCAA road win (on #11s home field).

Just my $0.02

You’re correct. I’ve long given Stevenson a puncher’s chance vs many a team out of their weight class. The talent on that roster is always a known quantity. Perhaps just the right amount of underrated Stevenson playing with a chip vs, dare I say, overrated Union, looking ahead to bigger names. Either way, “that’s why they play the game.”

Stevenson wears the MAC-C crown for now. FWIW though, I’ve always liked York playing the role of the hunter more than the hunted. And it would be remiss to think that the ‘Stangs didn’t breathe a sigh of relief with the Eastern upset of York, much like Tufts likely did on W&L over Salisbury.

I love seeing them back in the conversation, not just for the MAC but for the NCAA’s. I’d personally like nothing more than 2 AQs and 2 at larges coming out of this MAC grouping, and I don’t think we’re far off from that.

[NElaxtalent]

I'm NOT a Stevenson guy but I'm pretty sure they have a 2024 Trophy that says MAC-COMMONWEALTH Champions along with an NCAA road win (on #11s home field).

Just my $0.02

Stevenson wears the MAC-C crown for now...

I love seeing them back in the conversation, not just for the MAC but for the NCAA’s. I’d personally like nothing more than 2 AQs and 2 at larges coming out of this MAC grouping, and I don’t think we’re far off from that.

Deep, great perspective as always. To me, we're entering an interesting phase.

Do Eastern & Widener rebuild themselves or fade as Hood & Messiah ascend?

Do Stevenson & York defend the top tier of the Commonwealth or does Messiah crash the party in 2025?

Does Messiah's upward trajectory plateau as Carson's former D1 recruits/contacts begin to depart or does the FCA => Messiah path become a 4-lane highway???

[laxrules]

Messiah is the team I am interested in on CW side.

[Not Suitable]

Looks like former Cabrini HC/AC and all time great Tommy Deluca will go across the road and join Eastern's coaching staff.

[DeepPocket]

Looks like former Cabrini HC/AC and all time great Tommy Deluca will go across the road and join Eastern's coaching staff.

That’s a great get for Eastern, and a sign that they want to continue their upward trajectory within the MAC. They lose some key offensive pieces which, coupled with Messiah & Hood surging, make this a pivotal season for that second tier in the Commonwealth.

Though I’m sure they’re thrilled to see him find a role, I would imagine Deluca’s Cabrini peers will give him some friendly ribbing over being at Eastern now.

[Laxattackjack]

Looks like former Cabrini HC/AC and all time great Tommy Deluca will go across the road and join Eastern's coaching staff.

That’s a great get for Eastern, and a sign that they want to continue their upward trajectory within the MAC. They lose some key offensive pieces which, coupled with Messiah & Hood surging, make this a pivotal season for that second tier in the Commonwealth.

Though I’m sure they’re thrilled to see him find a role, I would imagine Deluca’s Cabrini peers will give him some friendly ribbing over being at Eastern now.

i think eastern takes a step back in 2025. losing Finelli will be a big loss.
Messiah is improving and should give York and Stevenson a tough game. but i am still going with York, Stevenson, then Messiah.

[DeepPocket]

Looks like former Cabrini HC/AC and all time great Tommy Deluca will go across the road and join Eastern's coaching staff.

That’s a great get for Eastern, and a sign that they want to continue their upward trajectory within the MAC. They lose some key offensive pieces which, coupled with Messiah & Hood surging, make this a pivotal season for that second tier in the Commonwealth.

Though I’m sure they’re thrilled to see him find a role, I would imagine Deluca’s Cabrini peers will give him some friendly ribbing over being at Eastern now.

i think eastern takes a step back in 2025. losing Finelli will be a big loss.
Messiah is improving and should give York and Stevenson a tough game. but i am still going with York, Stevenson, then Messiah.

Perhaps, but if Litzenberger uses any of his added eligibility I wouldn’t expect such a big drop off. He had 58 points to N. Fanelli’s 66. They retain C. Fanelli and Stark, while Porter also is eligible for grad years if he chooses to take any. That rounds out their 2024 top 5 scorers.

[DeepPocket]

Commonwealth team previews:

Stevenson

Stevenson, for the first time in years now, wears the MAC-C crown. In a 7 loss campaign that saw them fortunate enough to face Eastern in the conference championship, they made the most of the AQ and earned a notable NCAA win over Union.

Key returners
All top 5 scorers- Zick (M), Racich (M), Scaliti (M), Curtis (A), Gossen (A)

I’m aware of 5 grads who will also remain on the roster, 3 non-starting middies and 2 non-starting attack

Key losses
Scorese (2 year starting goalie)
Halpin (.62 FO starter)
Masterson (starting D)
Quinn (starting D)

Key additions
Tyler Merchant- (Catholic) Goalie- started last year as a freshman, posted a 10.4 GAA and .52 SV%
Sam Edwards- (Virginia Wesleyan) SSDM- 20g 11a 14ct 33gb
Nik Leahan- (Lynn) Defense-started last year as a sophomore 8gb 8ct
Landon Winterbottom- (Stevenson Football)- Attack 6’4” 220lb

Take-aways
It’s going to be another big roster, right around 60. This team IMO will need to balance out their scoring. All top 3 scorers at Midfield won’t (and by and large didn’t) fair well against teams that can grind your transition offense to a halt. I thought an off season NEED for this team was to find that third attackman, to facilitate this balance, but that remains to be seen. They will also have to find a faceoff man who can give that midfield possession at a reasonable rate. I was surprised to hear Kai Dimaculangan, rising senoir goalie, was among the many players lost to attrition of the grinding 60 man, grad, and transfer heavy roster. I thought he would be the heir apparent. They’ll likely need newcomer Merchant to step up to fill that void.

[DeepPocket]

Commonwealth team previews:

Eastern

Eastern ended its 2024 season with a loss to Stevenson in the conference championship. But they ended high, getting there with a huge upset win over York, and in 2025 they will look to continue/cement their ascension in the MAC ranks.

Key returners
They return 3 of their top 5 scorers, in Litzenberger, Chris Fanelli and Stark.
2/3 of their starting D, and both members of their faceoff tandem.

Litzenberger is joined in taking a grad year by 2 other non-starter middies, and a backup goaltender.

Key losses
2/3 of their starting attack in Nick Fanelli (all-time program leading goal scorer) and Avery Porter (top 5 scorer)
Ethan Myers (4 year starting goalie)
Nathan Gilbert (starting D)

Key additions
Assistant Coach Tommy DeLuca- (Cabrini HC)
Brett Gougler (Cabrini) SSDM- coming in as a junior, in his sophmore campaign with Cabrini he registered 8ct and 43gb over 20 games.
Frankie Fanelli (freshman) attack- the damaged cohesion by losing 2/3 of a starting attack that had played together for years could be softened by inserting one who has played with 2 of them (one of whom remains) for his entire life.

Take-aways
The big question for me is in goal, the likelihood of them suiting up their 6th year grad who has spent his career as a back up concerns me, especially with the elevating firepower in-conference. Returning both of their Faceoff tandem is also nice, but the numbers against the tougher competition they will face don’t support this being a strong point. All of that said, even losing N. Fanelli, I believe they retain enough offensive pieces to be where they were, realistically, coming out of the 2024 regular season. Likely just enough talent depth to have a shot at staying out front of the likes of Messiah, Hood and Widener.

[DeepPocket]

Commonwealth team previews:

Messiah

Messiah wrapped up it's season with a loss to Stevenson in the conference semis. 2024 was an excellent season for them, going 5-2 in conference play, and beating everyone but York and Stevenson. This will be a crucial year for them to now show consistency in winning their games versus Eastern, Widener and Hood.

Key returners
They return all of their top 5 scorers- Teresky, Berg, McKnelly, Hammel, & Mellor
They also return their starting goalie, close D unit and FO

Players taking grad years include Teresky (A) Kocher (D) Mellor (M) and Jalosznyski (M)

Key losses
None that I’m aware of.

Key additions
Jasen Bender (Nainimo BC/New Westminster)
Eric Hoover (Elizabethtown) SSDM 3ct 19gb
Jaden Algarin (Goucher) Goalie
Mason Scott (DeSales) Attack

Take-aways
The Messiah 2025 lineup will look almost exactly like last year, and IMO, it’s for the better. The one glaring hole that needs to be addressed however is FOs. Their returning starter is at .40, and it’s tough to win games against talented teams when your opponent is spotted the ball 60% of the time. For all of their portal activity over the last few years, I would’ve thought a 60% or better faceoff specialist would be higher on the priority list while they’ve still got this talented roster. Perhaps they have someone in mind for that role on their bench, time will tell.

[DeepPocket]

Commonwealth team previews:

Hood

Hood’s 2024 campaign came to a close, having already been eliminated from conference playoffs, with a 1 goal upset win over Eastern. They will look to harness momentum from that and show that they belong in the conference playoff conversation in 2025.

Key returners
They return 4 of their top 5 scorers, in Muldoon, Wiley, Flok and Lanigan.
They also return their faceoff tandem, who boasted .61 and .54 win% respectively.

They will have 5 grads on their roster, including the above mentioned Lanigan, their SSDM Knott, and 3 non-starter middies.

Key losses
McDermott (2nd in points last year)
Patnaik (3 year starter at D)
Dudziak (3 year starting goalie)

Key additions
Brennan McKeown (Bridgewater)- Defense- Coming in as a junior, he started in his freshman and sophomore seasons for the Eagles, tallying 14ct and 34gb last year.

Take-aways
Retaining experienced depth at midfield, as well as most of their top point producers for the last few seasons, should provide ample support to continue their push in conference. The loss of a multi year starting goalie always presents a hole. The rising junior, Morris, appears to have the most experience, even having a few starts under his belt. They will need to figure out who will be their backstop if they intend to compete for a playoff position.

[DeepPocket]

Commonwealth team previews:

York

2024 was a difficult one for York. Facing a murderer’s row of top 10 opponents, they played many close, but were rarely capable of closing out. Ultimately they found themselves in an AQ or bust scenario, and with all of the wind out of their sails, they dropped an undroppable game to Eastern to end their season.

Key returners
Keller (G)
Davis Fisher (A)
Kane (D)

They will have 4 grads on the roster, Keller in goal, and new comers Ettenhoffer (LSM), Stewart (SSDM) and Gizmondi (A).

Key losses
Vinny Facciponti (FO)
Nick Biava (D)
Brent Blackmon (D)
Jackson Sheilds (SSDM)
Will Harnick (A)

Key additions
Gavin Gizmondi (Elizabethtown) Attack
Connor Stewart (Elizabethtown) SSDM
Dylan McDougal (Towson) Midfield/Attack
Bear Evans (Cabrini) Defense
Kyle Ettenhoffer (Nichols) LSM
Isaiah Martin (Lynchburg) Defense

Take-aways
York brought in a nice haul of transfers, who seem ready to make an immediate impact. But there are big shoes to fill in the faceoff circle. For York to have the bounce back season that they are looking poised to have, they will need to ensure time of possession off the draw, especially against the stronger competition they will face.