MAC 2024

[Duckdad]

Trying to buck the post fall ball malaise, I did some poking around on the handful of transfers I’m aware of coming into the MAC this year. Here’s what I’ve got;

Stevens-
G- Holtby- Hobart- Started in 2021 and 2022. Not sure What the deal with 2023 was, perhaps injury.
M- Kirshner- Marquette- High school teammate of fellow incoming transfer Holtby, at Immaculata. Started in 2022.
D- DiChristina- Siena- The Fayetteville-Manilus/IMG product gives Stevens experience and the flexibility to run close and LSM.

They have another grad student from D3 school in NE (Laundry)
2 Montclair transfers (a midfielder and defender)
and coach sent message to players about housing for 2-3 mid year grad students.

[D3LaxFan2]

Trying to buck the post fall ball malaise, I did some poking around on the handful of transfers I’m aware of coming into the MAC this year. Here’s what I’ve got;

Stevens-
G- Holtby- Hobart- Started in 2021 and 2022. Not sure What the deal with 2023 was, perhaps injury.
M- Kirshner- Marquette- High school teammate of fellow incoming transfer Holtby, at Immaculata. Started in 2022.
D- DiChristina- Siena- The Fayetteville-Manilus/IMG product gives Stevens experience and the flexibility to run close and LSM.

They have another grad student from D3 school in NE (Laundry)
2 Montclair transfers (a midfielder and defender)
and coach sent message to players about housing for 2-3 mid year grad students.

Schools with MBA programs have absolutely cleaned up during this post-COVID time. Is pretty silly.

[DeepPocket]

Great listen on the latest NE Lacrosse Journal pod. Former Messiah player, and current South Carrol HS coach Grady Breen talks lacrosse where he’s from in VT, and the college / HS recruiting landscape at large.

[JPAtlantic]

I saw MAC football was scrapping divisions starting in 2024 in favor of 3-team pods - any changes to lacrosse?

[DeepPocket]

I saw MAC football was scrapping divisions starting in 2024 in favor of 3-team pods - any changes to lacrosse?

I don’t follow MAC football, but from the looks of the website / schedule it looks like they were in a single MAC format this past fall (not commonwealth/ freedom halves).

[DeepPocket]

Lebanon Valley departing the Commonwealth for the Freedom to balance out the halves will likely be a non-factor in the scheme of things for either side…

Whelp, I was wrong again.
Due to the 2 team departure and subsequent shift, every team in both halves the MAC gained a OOC game, while losing a conference game vs a lower quadrant MAC foe.

Looking at York, they were able to turn a conference game vs Lebanon Valley into OOC RPI. Stevenson turned Lebanon Valley into F&M. As for Stevens, their schedule remains to be seen. In conference they lose Wilkes and Lycoming, while taking on Lebanon Valley and an opportunity for a great schedule upgrade in the newly opened OOC spot.

[DeepPocket]

Eastern- The 9-9 and 6-2 Eagles return all of their top 10 scorers coming into 2024, including their entire attack unit, in addition to their goalie and FO. Last year they came close to picking off Stevenson, leading them through the first half in the MAC tournament. This year, with 3 grad students of their own, they’ll be looking to try to make that win over Stevenson actually happen and jump into the conversation of the upper tier of the MAC.

It appears Eastern has been active in the portal, capitalizing on the talent log jam at CNU by scooping up sophmore midfielder Brennan Kaut. The 6’3” 200lb underclassman saw action in 8 games as a freshman with a deep and experienced Captains team last year.

[Laxattackjack]

Eastern- The 9-9 and 6-2 Eagles return all of their top 10 scorers coming into 2024, including their entire attack unit, in addition to their goalie and FO. Last year they came close to picking off Stevenson, leading them through the first half in the MAC tournament. This year, with 3 grad students of their own, they’ll be looking to try to make that win over Stevenson actually happen and jump into the conversation of the upper tier of the MAC.

It appears Eastern has been active in the portal, capitalizing on the talent log jam at CNU by scooping up sophmore midfielder Brennan Kaut. The 6’3” 200lb underclassman saw action in 8 games as a freshman with a deep and experienced Captains team last year.

I have been saying this. Eastern returns the Finelli brothers. Add this depth. Eastern will be a tough game for York and Stevenson.

[MVPiccoli]

Kevin Wallace did a wonderful job creating some great recruiting pipelines at Eastern, along with identifying some really talented members of his coaching staff over the years. He seemed authentic and put rosters together that really competed. Eastern is a lot like Messiah. It takes a very specific, spiritually oriented student athlete to take on the culture there. The fun on Eastern's campus isn't traditional college fare. To me, that's been the only thing holding them back from really breaking through. They've had some fantastic players, but putting a roster full of them together isn't easy under the circumstances. They also reside in a league with several programs that are consistently great, if not elite. I enjoyed the Eagle Road rivalry over the years in all sports, and I'm excited to take in the last version of men's lacrosse.

[DeepPocket]

Eastern- The 9-9 and 6-2 Eagles return all of their top 10 scorers coming into 2024, including their entire attack unit, in addition to their goalie and FO. Last year they came close to picking off Stevenson, leading them through the first half in the MAC tournament. This year, with 3 grad students of their own, they’ll be looking to try to make that win over Stevenson actually happen and jump into the conversation of the upper tier of the MAC.

It appears Eastern has been active in the portal, capitalizing on the talent log jam at CNU by scooping up sophmore midfielder Brennan Kaut. The 6’3” 200lb underclassman saw action in 8 games as a freshman with a deep and experienced Captains team last year.

I have been saying this. Eastern returns the Finelli brothers. Add this depth. Eastern will be a tough game for York and Stevenson.

Eastern definitely hung with Stevenson, leading them through 3 quarters in the conference playoffs. I think with the added depth they’ll have a better chance at keeping up the strong play for a full 4 quarters. That said they were absolutely dismantled by the Mustangs 21-6 in conference play. Seems likely the playoff game was the outlier, and Stevenson was caught looking ahead to the looming quick turnaround vs York, not realizing Eastern actually came to play.

Eastern’s York score was deceptive, and has caused this game to be mischaracterized. Eastern was doubled up in each of the first three quarters, and were down 13-6 to start the fourth. Liberal subbing by York allowed them to make the final score more respectable looking. That said, they are no cream puff, not anymore at least, and their added experience and depth certainly won’t make them any easier a task this year.

I’m also very excited to see Messiah’s roster when it drops. They too are making leaps as far as depth of talent year over year.

Widener has Emerson on the schedule this year, continuing to bring in a variety of competition from up North, after potting a NESCAC win last year.

The MAC-C is on the come-up.

[Asgot]

Eastern- The 9-9 and 6-2 Eagles return all of their top 10 scorers coming into 2024, including their entire attack unit, in addition to their goalie and FO. Last year they came close to picking off Stevenson, leading them through the first half in the MAC tournament. This year, with 3 grad students of their own, they’ll be looking to try to make that win over Stevenson actually happen and jump into the conversation of the upper tier of the MAC.

It appears Eastern has been active in the portal, capitalizing on the talent log jam at CNU by scooping up sophmore midfielder Brennan Kaut. The 6’3” 200lb underclassman saw action in 8 games as a freshman with a deep and experienced Captains team last year.

I have been saying this. Eastern returns the Finelli brothers. Add this depth. Eastern will be a tough game for York and Stevenson.

Eastern definitely hung with Stevenson, leading them through 3 quarters in the conference playoffs. I think with the added depth they’ll have a better chance at keeping up the strong play for a full 4 quarters. That said they were absolutely dismantled by the Mustangs 21-6 in conference play. Seems likely the playoff game was the outlier, and Stevenson was caught looking ahead to the looming quick turnaround vs York, not realizing Eastern actually came to play.

Eastern’s York score was deceptive, and has caused this game to be mischaracterized. Eastern was doubled up in each of the first three quarters, and were down 13-6 to start the fourth. Liberal subbing by York allowed them to make the final score more respectable looking. That said, they are no cream puff, not anymore at least, and their added experience and depth certainly won’t make them any easier a task this year.

I’m also very excited to see Messiah’s roster when it drops. They too are making leaps as far as depth of talent year over year.

Widener has Emerson on the schedule this year, continuing to bring in a variety of competition from up North, after potting a NESCAC win last year.

The MAC-C is on the come-up.

I feel like Eastern is ready to compete with the upper part of the MAC. They play very hard and will have a chance to make splash as they play Stevens and if they can beat them it will set them up on a different plane. They will still have to get over the Stevenson/York hump and I think that they have a good shot at Stevenson as they have them at home but Stevnson has a good number of grad school kids coming back as well so that could be a good battle.

[DeepPocket]

Arcadia will meet West. Conn. at Stony Brook on Long Island 2/24.

DeSales will visit Colorado College along with Muhlenberg, Illinois Wesleyan, Cortland and Baldwin Wallace for round robins 3/5-3/16.

Stevens faces Drew and Haverford at Drew the weekend of 3/15.

Top MAC-F teams making an effort to get tournament type experience with back to backs and/or distant travel.

[JPAtlantic]

Pre-Season Polls released - Stevens and York on top.

MAC Freedom:
Rank Team Points (1st Place Votes)
1 Stevens 49 (7)
2 DeSales 42
3 Arcadia 37
4 Misericordia 31
5 Lebanon Valley 26
6 FDU-Florham 17
7 Delaware Valley 15
8 King's 7

MaC Commonwealth
Rank Team Points (1st Place Votes)
1 York (Pa.) 48 (6)
2 Stevenson 44 (2)
3 Eastern 36
4 Widener 31
5 Messiah 26
6 Hood 19
7 Albright 12
8 Alvernia 8

https://gomacsports.com/news/2024/1/24/ ... -poll.aspx

https://gomacsports.com/news/2024/1/24/ ... -poll.aspx

[DeepPocket]

Pre-Season Polls released - Stevens and York on top.

MAC Freedom:
Rank Team Points (1st Place Votes)
1 Stevens 49 (7)
2 DeSales 42
3 Arcadia 37
4 Misericordia 31
5 Lebanon Valley 26
6 FDU-Florham 17
7 Delaware Valley 15
8 King's 7

MaC Commonwealth
Rank Team Points (1st Place Votes)
1 York (Pa.) 48 (6)
2 Stevenson 44 (2)
3 Eastern 36
4 Widener 31
5 Messiah 26
6 Hood 19
7 Albright 12
8 Alvernia 8

https://gomacsports.com/news/2024/1/24/ ... -poll.aspx

https://gomacsports.com/news/2024/1/24/ ... -poll.aspx

I see someone is going against they unspoken code / bad juju - “don’t vote for yourself.”
Figures...

[Duckdad]

Pre-Season Polls released - Stevens and York on top.

MAC Freedom:
Rank Team Points (1st Place Votes)
1 Stevens 49 (7)
2 DeSales 42
3 Arcadia 37
4 Misericordia 31
5 Lebanon Valley 26
6 FDU-Florham 17
7 Delaware Valley 15
8 King's 7

MaC Commonwealth
Rank Team Points (1st Place Votes)
1 York (Pa.) 48 (6)
2 Stevenson 44 (2)
3 Eastern 36
4 Widener 31
5 Messiah 26
6 Hood 19
7 Albright 12
8 Alvernia 8

https://gomacsports.com/news/2024/1/24/ ... -poll.aspx

https://gomacsports.com/news/2024/1/24/ ... -poll.aspx

I see someone is going against they unspoken code / bad juju - “don’t vote for yourself.”
Figures...

STOP! Read the article.
Coaches can't vote for their own team.

NEWTOWN, Pa. (Men’s Lacrosse) – The Stevens Ducks were selected as the favorite in the 2024 conference preseason poll conducted among the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom men’s lacrosse coaches. The Ducks collected all seven first-place votes from opposing coaches for a total of 49 points.

Below is the complete 2024 MAC Freedom Men's Lacrosse Coaches' Preseason Poll.

2024 MAC Freedom Men's Lacrosse Coaches' Preseason Poll

Rank Team Points (1st Place Votes)
1 Stevens 49 (7)
2 DeSales 42
3 Arcadia 37
4 Misericordia 31
5 Lebanon Valley 26
6 FDU-Florham 17
7 Delaware Valley 15
8 King's 7

[DeepPocket]

STOP! Read the article.
Coaches can't vote for their own team.

NEWTOWN, Pa. (Men’s Lacrosse) – The Stevens Ducks were selected as the favorite in the 2024 conference preseason poll conducted among the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom men’s lacrosse coaches. The Ducks collected all seven first-place votes from opposing coaches for a total of 49 points.

Below is the complete 2024 MAC Freedom Men's Lacrosse Coaches' Preseason Poll.

2024 MAC Freedom Men's Lacrosse Coaches' Preseason Poll

Rank Team Points (1st Place Votes)
1 Stevens 49 (7)
2 DeSales 42
3 Arcadia 37
4 Misericordia 31
5 Lebanon Valley 26
6 FDU-Florham 17
7 Delaware Valley 15
8 King's 7

Actually I was thinking Stevenson… but if you can’t vote for yourself, then maybe they didn’t. (I still think they did )

[Asgot]

STOP! Read the article.
Coaches can't vote for their own team.

NEWTOWN, Pa. (Men’s Lacrosse) – The Stevens Ducks were selected as the favorite in the 2024 conference preseason poll conducted among the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom men’s lacrosse coaches. The Ducks collected all seven first-place votes from opposing coaches for a total of 49 points.

Below is the complete 2024 MAC Freedom Men's Lacrosse Coaches' Preseason Poll.

2024 MAC Freedom Men's Lacrosse Coaches' Preseason Poll

Rank Team Points (1st Place Votes)
1 Stevens 49 (7)
2 DeSales 42
3 Arcadia 37
4 Misericordia 31
5 Lebanon Valley 26
6 FDU-Florham 17
7 Delaware Valley 15
8 King's 7

Actually I was thinking Stevenson… but if you can’t vote for yourself, then maybe they didn’t. (I still think they did )

quite literally one side had 7 votes which makes it appear like Stevens did not vote for anyone while on the other side, Stevenson received 2 votes likely from York and maybe Eastern but they could have voted for themselves. I would not put it past that coach.

[NElaxtalent]

Pre-Season Polls released - Stevens and York on top.

MaC Commonwealth
Rank Team Points (1st Place Votes)
1 York (Pa.) 48 (6)
2 Stevenson 44 (2)
3 Eastern 36
4 Widener 31
5 Messiah 26
6 Hood 19
7 Albright 12
8 Alvernia 8

https://gomacsports.com/news/2024/1/24/ ... -poll.aspx

https://gomacsports.com/news/2024/1/24/ ... -poll.aspx

I see someone is going against they unspoken code / bad juju - “don’t vote for yourself.”
Figures...

I got the MAC Commonwealth in 2024 as:

1. York
2. Eastern
3. Stevenson
4. Messiah
5. Widener
6. Hood
7. Albright
8. Alvernia

[SneaksBeac]

Yeah.... the MAC Freedom math and press release doesn't make sense. There should be 8 votes to be had so someone didn't vote...

[Asgot]

Pre-Season Polls released - Stevens and York on top.

MaC Commonwealth
Rank Team Points (1st Place Votes)
1 York (Pa.) 48 (6)
2 Stevenson 44 (2)
3 Eastern 36
4 Widener 31
5 Messiah 26
6 Hood 19
7 Albright 12
8 Alvernia 8

https://gomacsports.com/news/2024/1/24/ ... -poll.aspx

https://gomacsports.com/news/2024/1/24/ ... -poll.aspx

I see someone is going against they unspoken code / bad juju - “don’t vote for yourself.”
Figures...

I got the MAC Commonwealth in 2024 as:

1. York
2. Eastern
3. Stevenson
4. Messiah
5. Widener
6. Hood
7. Albright
8. Alvernia

I think that this is very possible, Eastern is solid and they bring back a lot of talent. They will be a dangerous team