Marquette pegged second in BIG EAST, trio all-conference

NEW YORK – The Marquette University men's lacrosse team was picked second in the BIG EAST Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, while John Wagner, Noah Richard and Nick Grill each earned mention on the league's all-preseason team.

The projected finish of second is the highest preseason mark for the two-time conference tournament champions since they joined the league for the 2014 campaign. It is also the fourth time MU has had at least three preseason individual honorees.

Both Wagner and Richard are unanimous selections as an attackman and long-stick midfielder, respectively, after each earned All-BIG EAST First Team honors at the conclusion of last season. Wagner posted the fourth 30-goal season in program history last year and led the BIG EAST with 15 goals in conference action. The St. Davids, Ontario native posted game winners in all three of MU's league victories and posted a total of five winners, all of which came in overtime or the final 10 seconds of regulation.

Richard is the lone LSM on the list after tying for the Marquette lead with 48 ground balls in 2018 and finishing second to Brendon Connolly (17) with 11 caused turnovers. The West Chester, Pennsylvania native also added a goal and two assists while playing in 11 of 14 games.

Grill earns mention for the second time after back-to-back All-BIG EAST Second Team honors as Marquette's primary shutdown option on close defense. The junior native of Bridgewater, New Jersey posted 23 ground balls and caused five turnovers while starting 13 games in 2018. He has started all 29 contests in which he has appeared during his first two seasons in Milwaukee.

The Golden Eagles went 6-8 overall in 2018 and tied for second with a 3-2 record in BIG EAST action. They begin their 2019 regular season at home on Saturday, Feb. 9 against Bellarmine as part of National Marquette Day.

Denver (25 points) was once again unanimously chosen as the preseason league favorites, while MU (18), Georgetown (17) and Villanova (15) were separated by three points. The Hoyas received a first-place vote from DU head coach Bill Tierney.

Keep up with the Marquette men's lacrosse program through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteMLax) and Instagram (@MarquetteMLax) and 'liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteMLax).

Marquette's BIG EAST Preseason Projections (actual finish)
2019: Second
2018: Fourth (T-Second)
2017: Third (Fourth)
2016: Third (Second)
2015: Fourth (Third)
2014: Seventh (Second)

Marquette's BIG EAST All-Preseason Team Selections
2019 (3): Nick Grill, Noah Richard, John Wagner
2018 (3): Cole Blazer, Nick Grill, Zachary Melillo
2017 (1): Ryan McNamara
2016 (4): Liam Byrnes, B.J. Grill, Conor Gately, Kyle Whitlow
2015 (3): B.J. Grill, Liam Byrnes, Kyle Whitlow
2014 (0): None

2018-19 BIG EAST Preseason Honors
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Ethan Walker, Denver, Jr., A ^

Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Dylan Gaines, Denver, Sr., D ^

Preseason All-BIG EAST Team %
Tate Boyce, Providence, Sr., G ^
Ethan Walker, Denver, Jr., A ^
Daniel Bucaro, Georgetown, Sr., A ^
John Wagner, Marquette, Sr., A ^
Colton Jackson, Denver, Sr., M ^
Lucas Wittenberg, Georgetown, Sr., M
Connor Kirst, Villanova, Jr., M
Dylan Gaines, Denver, Sr., D ^
Dylan Johnson, Denver, Sr., D
Gibson Smith, Georgetown, So., D
Nick Grill, Marquette, Jr., D
Noah Richard, Marquette, Sr., LSM ^
T.J. Comizio, Villanova, Sr., SSDM
Alex George, Providence, Sr. FOS

^ - denotes unanimous selection
% - due to a tie in voting, there are four defenders on the preseason all-conference team

2019 Preseason Coaches' Poll
First place votes in ( )