PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Orange senior defenseman Brian Megill (Clark, N.J.) was named the BIG EAST Preseason co-Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season in a vote by the league’s seven head men’s lacrosse coaches on Tuesday, Jan. 22.
Megill shared the honor again with Notre Dame goalie John Kemp. In addition, Syracuse was picked to finish second in the BIG EAST in 2013 behind Notre Dame in the preseason coaches’ poll. The Orange totaled 32 points and received two first-place votes.
It’s the first time since BIG EAST men’s lacrosse began in 2010 that Syracuse has not been the preseason conference favorite. Notre Dame garnered five first-place votes and 35 points to finish three points ahead of the Orange in the voting. St. John’s was third with 23 points. Villanova (21 points) was fourth and Georgetown (19 points) was fifth. Rutgers (nine points) and Providence (eight points) rounded out the poll.
Classmate JoJo Marasco (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.) joined Megill on the All-BIG EAST Preseason Team. Both players were unanimous choices to the squad.
A three-year starter, Megill was a USILA Second Team All-American last season and an All-BIG EAST First Team selection. Megill recorded 62 ground balls and set an SU single-season record with 37 caused turnovers a year ago. For his career, Megill has 135 ground balls and 78 caused turnovers.
Marasco was named to the All-BIG EAST Second Team last season. He totaled 31 points in 2012 and ranked second on the Orange in assists (19). He has 44 goals and 45 assists in his three seasons at Syracuse and recorded at least one point in 16 of the Orange's 17 games last year.
SU begins the 2013 campaign on Jan. 26 with a three-way scrimmage against Holy Cross and Hofstra at the Carrier Dome. It opens the regular season at home against Albany on Feb. 17. Single-game and season tickets are available online, at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B) or by calling 1-888-DOMETIX.
2013 BIG EAST Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Notre Dame (5) – 35 points
Syracuse (2) – 32 points
St. John’s – 23 points
Villanova – 21 points
Georgetown – 19 points
Rutgers – 9 points
Providence – 8 points
(-) First-place votes
BIG EAST Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Kieran McArdle, St. John’s, A
BIG EAST Preseason Defensive Players of the Year
Brian Megill, Syracuse, D
John Kemp, Notre Dame, GK
All-BIG EAST Preseason Team ^
Brian Casey, Georgetown, A
Dan McKinney, Georgetown, M
Chris Nourse, Georgetown, D
Westy Hopkins, Notre Dame, A
* John Kemp, Notre Dame, GK
* Jim Marlatt, Notre Dame, M
* Matt Miller, Notre Dame, D
Sean Rogers, Notre Dame, A
* Dillon Ayers, St. John’s, LSM
* Kieran McArdle, St. John’s, A
* JoJo Marasco, Syracuse, M
* Brian Megill, Syracuse, D
* Thomas Croonquist, Villanova, SP
John LoCascio, Villanova, LSM
Jack Rice, Villanova, A
^ - players added due to a tie in voting
* - unanimous selection
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