Marquette University Athletics
Woodward named USA Lacrosse Preseason Second Team All-American
1/17/2024 10:04:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
Woodward is a three-USILA All-American and one of the nation's top returning players
USA Lacrosse Magazine
MILWAUKEE - Marquette University men's lacrosse defenseman Mason Woodward has been named to the USA Lacrosse Division I Men's Preseason All-America Second Team, USA Lacrosse Magazine announced on Wednesday morning.
Woodward, who became the first three-time USILA All-American in program history with third team honors last spring, is the only Marquette player to be selected as team captain four times. He was a unanimous All BIG-EAST First Team selection in 2023 and led the team in caused turnovers in all four of his campaigns. In September, the defenseman was selected 56th overall in the fourth round of the Lacrosse National League Entry Draft by the New York Riptide and is expected to be a high selection in the 2024 Premier Lacrosse League Collegiate Entry Draft.
He was a unanimous All-BIG EAST First Team selection last season at close defense and was named to the Tewaaraton Award Watch List last February, becoming only the third MU player to earn mention on the list. Woodward was also a first team all-league pick during his first conference season in 2021 and was a second team choice in 2022.
The native of Towson, Maryland is the program's all-time leader in ground balls per game (4.71 per contest) and begins his 2024 campaign just six behind Marquette all-time ground ball leader Liam Byrnes (218) with 212. He ended the 2023 regular season second in NCAA Division I among close defensemen in ground balls per game (5.00).
Woodward earned a bachelor's degree in exercise physiology and was named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team after finishing his undergraduate career with a 3.82 cumulative grade-point average, including a perfect 4.0 during the spring semester. He is a four-time selection to the BIG EAST All-Academic Team and member of the Chi Alpha Sigma national honor society. Woodward is currently pursuing a certificate in sports leadership from Marquette's Graduate School of Management.
Marquette plays an exhibition game at Duke on Saturday, Jan. 27 and begins the 2024 regular season on Saturday, Feb. 3 at Air Force.
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).
