ROCK HILL, S.C. -- The South Atlantic Conference announced the 2024 Men's Lacrosse Preseason Poll on Thursday, selecting Anderson to finish the season 5th in the league. In addition, five Trojans received preseason All-SAC honors.
Defending NCAA National Champion Lenior-Rhyne is the preseason favorite, earning seven first-place votes. In second, with one first-place vote, is reigning SAC Champion Limestone. Wingate, who went undefeated in conference play last year, receives the third-place spot and two first-places votes. Newberry is fourth, followed by Anderson.
Five Trojans were selected to the preseason All-Conference Teams. Senior Peyton Jefferson (Allen, Texas) and sophomore Hunter Klosterman (Cumming, Ga.) represent Anderson on the first team, with sophomore Radyn Badraun (Mission Viejo, Calif.) earning second-team selection. Sophomore Matthew Rodgers (Carmel, Ind.) and senior Garrett Hawkins (Clover, S.C.) were named to the third team.
Last season saw Jefferson lead the Trojans with 38 caused turnovers. He also contributed seven goals on the season, the most by a defensive player across the league. Jefferson concluded the 2023 campaign earning First Team All-SAC honors.
In 2023, Klosterman recorded 167 saves, the fourth-most among the SAC, and was named to the All-SAC Third Team at the end of the season.
Badraun also wrapped up the 2023 campaign being selected to the conference third team. Additionally, he took home SAC Freshman of the Year, leading the Trojans with 56 goals (fourth in the league) and 76 points.
Rodgers tallied 45 goals, 13 assists and 107 shots last season. Following his 8-goal contribution in Anderson's win over No. 14 Florida Southern, Rodgers was named USA Lacrosse Magazine Division II National Player of the Week in February.
Recording 22 goals, 13 assists and 90 shots in 2023, Hawkins concluded the season with All-SAC Third Team honors.
The Trojans kick off the 2024 campaign at Young Harris on Feb. 3, followed by their home opener on Feb. 10 against North Greenville.
2024 Men's Lacrosse Preseason Poll
|
Rank
|
School (First Place Votes)
|
Score
|
|
1
|
Lenoir-Rhyne (7)
|
77
|
|
2
|
Limestone (1)
|
71
|
|
3
|
Wingate (2)
|
70
|
|
4
|
Newberry
|
57
|
|
5
|
Anderson
|
50
|
|
6
|
Lincoln Memorial
|
37
|
|
7
|
Catawba
|
36
|
|
8
|
Tusculum
|
18
|
|
T-9
|
Coker
|
17
|
|
T-9
|
Mars Hill
|
17
|
All-SAC First Team
A – Willie Grieco, Wingate A – Danny Riley, Wingate
A – Zachary Terry, Limestone
MF – Mike McGarry, Limestone MF – Will Canata, Lenoir-Rhyne
MF – Baker Westmoreland, Newberry
D – Peyton Farley, Wingate D – Victor Powell, Lenoir-Rhyne D – Peyton Jefferson, Anderson
LP – Joe Karnich, Wingate
Short-Stick Defensive MF - Colten McCracken, Lenoir-Rhyne
Face-off Spec. – Tim Ladner, Limestone
GK – Hunter Klosterman, Anderson
All-SAC Second Team
A – Radyn Badraun, Anderson A – Scott Reed, Newberry
A – Carter Brand, Limestone
MF – Chris Erneston, Limestone MF – Tommy Aguilar, Lenoir-Rhyne
MF – Curtis Bukta, Newberry
D – Jack Travassos, Newberry
D – Nick Arnold, Wingate
D – Nate Ashley, Lenoir-Rhyne
LP – Jack Beachley, Limestone
Short-Stick Defensive MF - Trent Connolly, Wingate
Face-off Spec. – John Paulus, Lenoir-Rhyne
GK – Rob Pensabene, Lenoir-Rhyne
All-SAC Third Team
A – Evan Voss, Lenoir-Rhyne
A – Matthew Rodgers, Anderson
A – James Osorio, Newberry
MF – Garrett Hawkins, Anderson MF – Austin Lamoureux, Limestone
MF – Joey Moran, Wingate
D – Michael Jensen, Coker
D – David Squires, Newberry
D – Joey Masson, Lenoir-Rhyne
LP – Michael Rogers, Lincoln Memorial
Short-Stick Defensive MF - Jason Madden, Limestone
Face-off Spec. – Colby Rogers, Newberry
GK – Ryan Erler, Newberry
