Mount Men's Lacrosse Tabbed Favorite in Northeast Conference Preseason Coaches Poll

February 9, 2012--The Mount St. Mary's men's lacrosse team has been picked first in the Northeast Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, released Thursday.  The Mount won the inaugural NEC title last season, defeating Quinnipiac 14-9 in the championship game at Waldron Family Stadium.

The Mount received four of the six first-place votes in the poll and ranked ahead of Bryant, Robert Morris, Quinnipiac, Sacred Heart and Wagner.

Under the direction of two-time NEC Coach of the Year Tom Gravante, the Mount went 9-6 last season while winning the NEC regular season title with a 4-1 league record.  The Mount earned the right to host the inaugural NEC Tournament, and posted 14-9 wins over Bryant and Quinnipiac to win the championship.

The Mount returns three First Team All-NEC selections in Brett Schmidt, Bryant Schmidt and Andrew Scalley.  Scalley led the Mountaineers with 38 goals and 52 points at the attack position in 2011.  He enters the season having recorded at least one point in all 32 career games he has played.  Brett Schmidt had 34 goals and 16 assists last season on attack for the Mount while twin brother Bryant, a midfielder, tallied 19 goals and nine assists.

The Mountaineers open the 2012 season on Saturday, February 25, at 12:00 p.m. at #19 Delaware.

One of the fastest growing sports in the United States, the NEC announced the addition of men's lacrosse as its 23rd sponsored sport in the spring of 2008. The six-team lineup that is featured today played a partial schedule in 2010, before a full conference slate was implemented in 2011. Following this season, the winner of the 2013 NEC Championship will be awarded automatic access to the NCAA Tournament.

2012 NEC Men's Lacrosse Coaches' Poll (first place votes in parentheses)
1. Mount St. Mary's (4)
2. Bryant (2)
3. Robert Morris
4. Quinnipiac
5. Sacred Heart
6. Wagner