Army West Point Athletics
Surdick Garners Preseason Accolades
January 23, 2019 | Men's Lacrosse
WEST POINT, N.Y. – With the 2019 season quickly approaching, the Patriot League preseason poll has been announced with Army picked fifth. Senior defender Johnny Surdick captured Preseason Defensive Player of the Year accolades for the second straight year, and was named to the Preseason All-Patriot League team.
"Given the fact there are a number of outstanding defenders in the Patriot League, it is a tremendous distinction for John to be selected as the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year," said head coach Joe Alberici. "I am certain John will use this recognition as additional motivation to make his senior season the best one of his already storied Army Lacrosse career."
The preseason poll and individual awards were voted on by the men's lacrosse coaches and sports information directors from each institution, with restrictions of voting for their own team and student-athletes.
With the 16 first-place votes, the reigning Patriot League Champion Loyola will look to repeat as the League's top team, totaling 128 points in the preseason poll. Lehigh follows suit with the other two first-place votes to tally 109 points.
Next is Navy (96), Boston U. (89) and Army (62) rounding out the top five.
Bucknell was slated sixth with 57 points, as Colgate (56), Holy Cross (24) and Lafayette (20) closed out the rankings.
"The coaching staff likes the way this team is going about its business," said Alberici. "There is a recognition by this group that there is a lot of work to do and they are willing to collectively put forward the effort necessary for improvement."
Surdick was tabbed a First Team Preseason Inside Lacrosse Media All-American earlier this year. The Odenton, Md., native, who garnered First Team All-Patriot League accolades in 2018, was named an Inside Lacrosse Media All-American a season ago.
For the second straight year, Surdick led the Black Knights' defense in caused turnovers. He averaged 1.92 per game and ranked third in the Patriot League.
The senior captain added 42 groundballs last season while guarding the opponent's biggest offensive threat each week. Surdick tallied four assists in 2018 which was a career-high.
The Black Knights begin their season with road games at UMass and Rutgers in early February. Army welcomes Marist at home March 19 for the first contest at Michie Stadium of 2019.
For more information on Army men's lacrosse, please follow @ArmyWP_MLAX on Twitter and Instagram.
Offensive Player of the Year – Pat Spencer, Loyola Maryland, Sr., A
Defensive Player of the Year – John Surdick, Army West Point, Sr., D
All-Patriot League Team
Attack: Chris Gray, Boston University, So.
Attack: Mike Hawkins, Colgate, So.
Attack: Andrew Pettit, Lehigh, Sr.
Attack: Pat Spencer, Loyola Maryland, Sr.
Midfielder: Reed Malas, Bucknell, Sr.
Midfielder: John Duffy, Loyola Maryland, Sr.
Midfielder: Greyson Torain, Navy, Sr.
Midfielder: Ryan Wade, Navy, Sr.
Defense: John Surdick, Army West Point, Sr.
Defense: Matt Farrell, Holy Cross, Sr.
Defense: Eddie Bouhall, Lehigh, Sr.
Defense: Craig Chick, Lehigh, Sr.
Goalie: Jacob Stover, Loyola Maryland, Sr.
FaceOff Specialist: Conor Gaffney, Lehigh, Jr.
Long-Stick Midfielder: Teddy Leggett, Lehigh, So.
Short-Stick Defensive Midfielder: Will Blumenberg, Colgate, Sr.
Student-athletes are listed by position; then alphabetically by school
Preseason Poll
Loyola Maryland – 128 (16 first-place votes)
Lehigh – 109 (2 first-place votes)
Navy – 96
Boston University – 89
Army West Point – 62
Bucknell – 57
Colgate – 56
Holy Cross – 24
Lafayette – 20
"Given the fact there are a number of outstanding defenders in the Patriot League, it is a tremendous distinction for John to be selected as the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year," said head coach Joe Alberici. "I am certain John will use this recognition as additional motivation to make his senior season the best one of his already storied Army Lacrosse career."
The preseason poll and individual awards were voted on by the men's lacrosse coaches and sports information directors from each institution, with restrictions of voting for their own team and student-athletes.
With the 16 first-place votes, the reigning Patriot League Champion Loyola will look to repeat as the League's top team, totaling 128 points in the preseason poll. Lehigh follows suit with the other two first-place votes to tally 109 points.
Next is Navy (96), Boston U. (89) and Army (62) rounding out the top five.
Bucknell was slated sixth with 57 points, as Colgate (56), Holy Cross (24) and Lafayette (20) closed out the rankings.
"The coaching staff likes the way this team is going about its business," said Alberici. "There is a recognition by this group that there is a lot of work to do and they are willing to collectively put forward the effort necessary for improvement."
Surdick was tabbed a First Team Preseason Inside Lacrosse Media All-American earlier this year. The Odenton, Md., native, who garnered First Team All-Patriot League accolades in 2018, was named an Inside Lacrosse Media All-American a season ago.
For the second straight year, Surdick led the Black Knights' defense in caused turnovers. He averaged 1.92 per game and ranked third in the Patriot League.
The senior captain added 42 groundballs last season while guarding the opponent's biggest offensive threat each week. Surdick tallied four assists in 2018 which was a career-high.
The Black Knights begin their season with road games at UMass and Rutgers in early February. Army welcomes Marist at home March 19 for the first contest at Michie Stadium of 2019.
For more information on Army men's lacrosse, please follow @ArmyWP_MLAX on Twitter and Instagram.
Offensive Player of the Year – Pat Spencer, Loyola Maryland, Sr., A
Defensive Player of the Year – John Surdick, Army West Point, Sr., D
All-Patriot League Team
Attack: Chris Gray, Boston University, So.
Attack: Mike Hawkins, Colgate, So.
Attack: Andrew Pettit, Lehigh, Sr.
Attack: Pat Spencer, Loyola Maryland, Sr.
Midfielder: Reed Malas, Bucknell, Sr.
Midfielder: John Duffy, Loyola Maryland, Sr.
Midfielder: Greyson Torain, Navy, Sr.
Midfielder: Ryan Wade, Navy, Sr.
Defense: John Surdick, Army West Point, Sr.
Defense: Matt Farrell, Holy Cross, Sr.
Defense: Eddie Bouhall, Lehigh, Sr.
Defense: Craig Chick, Lehigh, Sr.
Goalie: Jacob Stover, Loyola Maryland, Sr.
FaceOff Specialist: Conor Gaffney, Lehigh, Jr.
Long-Stick Midfielder: Teddy Leggett, Lehigh, So.
Short-Stick Defensive Midfielder: Will Blumenberg, Colgate, Sr.
Student-athletes are listed by position; then alphabetically by school
Preseason Poll
Loyola Maryland – 128 (16 first-place votes)
Lehigh – 109 (2 first-place votes)
Navy – 96
Boston University – 89
Army West Point – 62
Bucknell – 57
Colgate – 56
Holy Cross – 24
Lafayette – 20
Players Mentioned
D
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