Photo by: Brian McWalters
Trio Tabbed to Preseason All-ACC Teams
1/30/2019 9:16:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
Three Syracuse standouts were tabbed to the Preseason All-ACC Team, following a vote from the league's head coaches.
Peter Dearth (Short-stick defensive midfielder), Nick Mellen (Defense) and Stephen Rehfuss (Attack), were honored by the league. As a team, Syracuse was projected to finish fourth.
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The preseason ranking should provide no panic for Orange fans, as Syracuse has finished tied or ahead of where they were projected in each of the last-five seasons. The team has won either a regular season or conference tournament title each year since 2015, and owns an ACC winning streak dating back to the 2016 league finale heading into 2019.
2019 Preseason Coaches Poll
2018 NCAA runner-up Duke was projected as the league favorite with 21 points, followed by Notre Dame, Virginia and Syracuse in succession. Just one point separated each team from second through fourth.
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Preseason All-ACC Team
A – Joe Robertson, So., Duke
A – Stephen Rehfuss, Jr., Syracuse
A - Michael Kraus, Jr., Virginia
M – Brad Smith, Sr., Duke
M – Bryan Costabile, Jr., Notre Dame
M – Dox Aitken, Jr., Virginia
D – Cade Van Raaporst, Sr., Duke
D – JT Giles-Harris, Jr., Duke
D – Nick Mellen, Jr., Syracuse
GK – Alex Rode, So., Virginia
FO – Justin Schwenk, Jr., Virginia
LSM – Jack Rowlett, Sr., North Carolina
SSDM – Drew Schantz, Sr., Notre Dame
SSDM – Peter Dearth, Jr., Syracuse
Mellen, one of the top-cover defensemen in the nation, was an All-ACC selection and USILA Third Team All-American in 2018. He drew some of the most difficult assignments in the nation, guarding five of the nation's top-11 scorers from a year ago, while holding them to a combined one point per game less than their typical season average. Mellen also caused 22 turnovers and picked up 31 ground balls last year.
Dearth, one of the team captains this season, transitioned back to SSDM to fill a need after starting last season as a first-line midfielder. He transformed into one of the best in the league at his position, while also proving to be a threat in transition. He chipped in five points last year to complement his 24 ground balls and five caused turnovers.
In his first season as a starter, Rehfuss led the team with 48 points and 28 assists. The junior started all-15 games last season, posted 73 points in his first-two seasons on campus.
Syracuse opens their 2019 campaign on Friday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. when the team hosts Colgate. Season tickets remain the best value to watch the Orange this season. At just $65 for adults and $35 for youth (12 and under) fans can purchase season tickets. Season tickets are in the reserved section behind the team's bench and come with other benefits during the season which are exclusive to season ticket holders.
Individual game tickets are also available at $15 for adults and $10 for youth. 'Cuse gets its 2019 season underway on Feb. 8 vs. Colgate. Fans should visit Cuse.com/Tickets to be part of all the action.
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Peter Dearth (Short-stick defensive midfielder), Nick Mellen (Defense) and Stephen Rehfuss (Attack), were honored by the league. As a team, Syracuse was projected to finish fourth.
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The preseason ranking should provide no panic for Orange fans, as Syracuse has finished tied or ahead of where they were projected in each of the last-five seasons. The team has won either a regular season or conference tournament title each year since 2015, and owns an ACC winning streak dating back to the 2016 league finale heading into 2019.
2019 Preseason Coaches Poll
- Duke (21)
- Notre Dame (17)
- Virginia (16)
- Syracuse (14)
- North Carolina (7)
2018 NCAA runner-up Duke was projected as the league favorite with 21 points, followed by Notre Dame, Virginia and Syracuse in succession. Just one point separated each team from second through fourth.
Â
Preseason All-ACC Team
A – Joe Robertson, So., Duke
A – Stephen Rehfuss, Jr., Syracuse
A - Michael Kraus, Jr., Virginia
M – Brad Smith, Sr., Duke
M – Bryan Costabile, Jr., Notre Dame
M – Dox Aitken, Jr., Virginia
D – Cade Van Raaporst, Sr., Duke
D – JT Giles-Harris, Jr., Duke
D – Nick Mellen, Jr., Syracuse
GK – Alex Rode, So., Virginia
FO – Justin Schwenk, Jr., Virginia
LSM – Jack Rowlett, Sr., North Carolina
SSDM – Drew Schantz, Sr., Notre Dame
SSDM – Peter Dearth, Jr., Syracuse
Mellen, one of the top-cover defensemen in the nation, was an All-ACC selection and USILA Third Team All-American in 2018. He drew some of the most difficult assignments in the nation, guarding five of the nation's top-11 scorers from a year ago, while holding them to a combined one point per game less than their typical season average. Mellen also caused 22 turnovers and picked up 31 ground balls last year.
Dearth, one of the team captains this season, transitioned back to SSDM to fill a need after starting last season as a first-line midfielder. He transformed into one of the best in the league at his position, while also proving to be a threat in transition. He chipped in five points last year to complement his 24 ground balls and five caused turnovers.
In his first season as a starter, Rehfuss led the team with 48 points and 28 assists. The junior started all-15 games last season, posted 73 points in his first-two seasons on campus.
Syracuse opens their 2019 campaign on Friday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. when the team hosts Colgate. Season tickets remain the best value to watch the Orange this season. At just $65 for adults and $35 for youth (12 and under) fans can purchase season tickets. Season tickets are in the reserved section behind the team's bench and come with other benefits during the season which are exclusive to season ticket holders.
Individual game tickets are also available at $15 for adults and $10 for youth. 'Cuse gets its 2019 season underway on Feb. 8 vs. Colgate. Fans should visit Cuse.com/Tickets to be part of all the action.
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