INDIANAPOLIS- The Great Midwest Athletic Conference Men’s Lacrosse Preseason Coaches Poll presented by Under Armour revealed associate member Seton Hill as the 2024 favorite.
Nine teams are in the conference standings this year with the addition of Thomas More and Tiffin making their men’s lacrosse debut.
Seton Hill was undefeated in the conference last season and won the regular season title. USA Magazine has Seton Hill ranked No.15 in their preseason Top 20. Head Coach Brian Novotny loses 2023 Goalkeeper of the Year Josh Miller but returns first-team all-selection in Holden Charboneau. Charboneau, a junior defensemen, started in all 17 games for the Griffins. He pickd up 24 ground balls and caused 12 turnovers on the year. In addition to Charboneau, the Griffins return six all-conference selections.
The reigning G-MAC tournament champions in Mercyhurst were voted preseason runner-up. The Lakers made a historic run to the national championship game last season before falling to Lenoir-Rhyne. First-year head coach Trey Keeley will look to build off last year’s success as he returns G-MAC Defensive Player of the Year Charlie Gleason. Gleason led a Mercyhurst defense that ranked No. 1 in ground balls (751) and No. 2 in caused turnovers (147). Coaches voted Gleason the top defender in the league after recording 19 ground balls and causing nine turnovers. Ethan Landymore, Stephen Morley, and Braden McCard, all first-team all-conference honorees, are also some of the top returners for Keeley.
Lake Erie and Walsh were in the next tier of voting with only eight points separating the conference full time members. The Storm edged the Cavaliers by a 59-51 point count. The Storm return first-team midfielder Kevin Albright, who totaled 36 goals and seven assists last season. For the Cavaliers, defender Mike Sawulak and Alex Movshin are top returners for first-year head coach David Salter. Sawulak picked up 56 ground balls and caused 30 turnvoers. Movshin had the second-best save percentage last seasoon with 226 saves through 16 games (.557).
Wheeling was slotted in the fifth spot followed by Malone in sixth.
Davis & Elkins, Tiffin, and Thomas More round out the preseason coaches poll.
The conference schedule officially starts on March 13
th as the top six programs will look to earn a postseason bid to the Great Midwest Championship tournament.
Great Midwest Men's Lacrosse Coaches Preseason Poll Presented by Under Armour
| School |
Points |
| 1. Seton Hill (5) |
70 |
| 2. Merychurst (4) |
69 |
| 3. Lake Erie |
59 |
| 4. Walsh |
51 |
| 5. Wheeling |
43 |
| 6. Malone |
39 |
| 7. Davis & Elkins |
30 |
| 8. Tiffin |
24 |
| 9. Thomas More |
20 |