ADRIAN, Mich. – The Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) released the 2022 Men's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches Poll last week. The Siena Heights men's lacrosse team was ranked fourth, three spots higher than the team's finished in the previous year. In addition to the WHAC poll, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) released the 2022 Top 10 preseason Poll where the Saints were receiving votes.
The Saints return 2019 first-team All-WHAC selection Jake Gallaher and 2021 second-team All-WHAC player Jeff Putz. Seniors Vinnie Jean and Garnet Potter also return for SHU this season. In total, the Saints have 21 players returning from last year's team while adding 15 newcomers to the roster including standout freshmen Ethan Wissink and Matt Quillen.
"We are looking forward to the opportunity to get back out on the field," said head coach Spencer Macek. "Our players have been preparing for this moment since the end of last season. Another chance to prove ourselves. The WHAC is looking tough like it always does, with three teams in the top 10 and two other teams receiving votes. We are truly excited for the opportunity to compete against some of the best talent in the country."
The preseason poll is voted on by the coaches in the league who rank each team in the WHAC from 1-10. Ten points are given to the team at the top of the list, nine points to the second-ranked team, and so on to determine the order of the poll.
Reigning WHAC champion Indiana Tech received all 10 first-place votes to take the top spot in the preseason poll with 100 points. Concordia (Mich.) moved to second with 88 points. Aquinas edged out Siena Heights for second as the Saints in maroon compiled 74 points while SHU had 70. Madonna fell to fifth with 56 points--just two points ahead of sixth-place Lourdes. Lawrence finished with 34 points to claim seventh while Taylor had 32 for eighth. UM-Dearborn (30 points) and Cleary (12) rounded out the poll.
Click here for the WHAC release of the 2022 Men's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches Poll.
