The defending National Champion, Mercyhust Lakers, have been tabbed as the 2012 preseason favorite in East Coast Conference men’s lacrosse. Senior Eddie Plompen (West Islip) of C.W. Post has been named the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while junior goalkeeper T.J. DiCarlo (Farmingdale) of Mercy has been named the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Mercyhurst accumulated 118 total points with eight first place votes to take the top spot in the preseason poll. The Lakers are coming off a season in which they finished 14-2 (8-2 in ECC play). Their final win, a 9-8 victory over Adelphi, gave the team the first National Championship in program history. Four starters and 25 players return for Mercyhurst in their quest to capture the ECC title and defend their national title.
Mercy goalkeeper T.J. DiCarlo has been named the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. DiCarlo was last season’s ECC Goalkeeper of the Year after posting an 11-3 record between the pipes to go along with a conference leading .636 save percentage. He also finished second in the conference in saves per game at 12.86. DiCarlo’s play was recognized on a national level in addition to the ECC, as he earned a spot on the USILA All-America First Team and was named the USILA Goalkeeper of the Year.
