Stockton picked to repeat as CSAC MLax Champs
ROSEMONT, Pa. – Defending champion Stockton University was picked by the coaches in the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) to repeat as men’s lacrosse champion, according to the preseason coaches’ poll released on Thursday morning.
The Ospreys, who joined the conference as an associate member last season, got 46 points with five first-place votes. Montclair State University was selected second with 44 points, grabbing two first-place votes. Montclair advanced to the CSAC title game last season, before falling to Stockton in an exciting game, 14-11.
Kean University was in third with 35 points, followed by Bryn Athyn College in fourth with 26 points.
Centenary University was fifth with 17 points, followed by Rosemont College in sixth with 15 points and Keystone College in seventh place with 13 points.
Stockton University, who was 18-3 last season and a perfect 6-0 in CSAC play, won its NCAA first round NCAA game over Morrisville State by a score of 20-9. The Ospreys open the season on Wednesday, February 19 at Delaware Valley and will open CSAC play on Wednesday, April 1, against Bryn Athyn.
Montclair State University was 10-7 last season with a 5-1 mark in CSAC play. The Red Hawks open the season on Friday, February 14 at DeSales, with their first CSAC match on Saturday, March 28, at Kean.
Kean University went 11-6 last season, finishing with a 4-2 mark in CSAC play. The Cougars advanced to the CSAC semifinals, falling to Montclair State 20-7. They will open the season on Monday, March 2, against Saint Joseph’s College of Long Island. They will open CSAC play on Saturday, March 28, hosting Montclair State.
Bryn Athyn College went 4-9 last season, but, was 3-3 in the CSAC. The Lions qualified for the CSAC playoffs, falling to eventual championship Stockton 24-7. Bryn Athyn, under new head coach Jack Crawford, opens the 2020 campaign on Wednesday, February 26, at Gwynedd Mercy. The Lions open CSAC play on Wednesday, April 1, under the lights at Stockton.
Centenary University went 2-9 last season with a 1-5 mark in the CSAC. The Cyclones open the 2020 slate with a 1 p.m. game versus Alvernia at home. They host Rosemont on Saturday, March 28, in their CSAC opener.
Rosemont College went 3-11 last season with a 2-4 mark in the CSAC, just missing the playoffs. The Ravens open the season on Wednesday, February 19, hosting Neumann. Their CSAC opener is scheduled for Saturday, March 28, at Centenary.
Finally,
Keystone College went 0-12 and 0-6 in CSAC play last season. The Giants open their season on Wednesday, March 4, traveling to Medaille. Their first CSAC game is scheduled for Thursday, April 2, hosting Rosemont.
The CSAC championship is scheduled to start on Saturday, April 25, with semifinal play. The top four teams qualify for the playoffs. The CSAC Championship, which determines the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, is slated for Saturday, May 2, at the highest remaining seed.