Quartet Named Preseason All-Americans By Face-Off Yearbook

BALTIMORE – Loyola University Maryland senior attacker Nikko Pontrello was named a member of the Preseason All-America Second Team for the upcoming 2015 season this week when Inside Lacrosse released its list of top players in the Face-Off Yearbook.

Pontrello was one of four Greyhounds to receive recognition on the list. He was joined by senior defender Pat Frazier and a pair of sophomores, midfielder Brian Sherlock and long-stick midfielder Ryan Fournier who earned Preseason All-America Honorable Mention.

A native of Marlton, New Jersey, Pontrello earned United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association All-America Honorable Mention last year after having one of the top goal-scoring seasons in school history last year. After scoring 20 goals in his first two seasons at Loyola, he finished with 51 in 2014, the third-most in school single-season history.

He also had 12 assists for a total of 63 points, the sixth-most in school single-season history, and his 3.0 goals per game this season ranked fifth nationally.

Frazier returns to anchor the Greyhounds' defense in his third season as a starter. Last year, the Marylander helped Loyola's defense limit teams to an average of 7.47 goals per game.

He picked up 27 ground balls and caused nine turnovers for the Greyhounds. Frazier also scored his first collegiate goal last year

Sherlock was the top first-year player in the Patriot League last season, earning All-Patriot League First Team honors in his first year as a collegiate lacrosse player. The Long Island native transferred to Loyola prior to the season after sitting out the 2013 campaign at the University of North Carolina with an injury.

He made an immediate impact for Loyola in his first year after transferring from the University of North Carolina where he missed last season with an injury. As a redshirt freshman, Sherlock scored 19 goals and assisted on 10 in the midfield for Loyola, and he also ran the wings on faceoffs and plays several shifts a game in the defensive midfield.

Fournier emerged as one of the top long-stick midfielders during his freshman season at Loyola. The Canadian showed considerable offensive acumen as the season progressed, finishing with four goals and two assists in transition for the Greyhounds.

He also became the team’s primary pole in the midfield, causing nine turnovers and picking up 32 ground balls.

Loyola opens the 2015 season on Saturday, Feb. 7, when it hosts the University of Virginia at Ridley Athletic Complex.