Four Orange Named to Preseason All-ACC Team

Four Syracuse stars were tabbed to the Preseason All-ACC Team by the league's five head coaches and the Orange as a team were picked to finish third in the league.

With regular season ACC lacrosse set to get underway on Saturday for some teams, the conference announced the preseason teams on Tuesday, which featured midfielder Brendan Curry, defenseman Nick Mellen, short-stick defensive midfielder Peter Dearth and goaltender Drake Porter. The group makes up four of the seven Orange standouts who were named to Inside Lacrosse's Preseason All-America teams earlier this month.

Reigning NCAA Champions Virginia tied the Orange with the most selections to the team (4), followed by Notre Dame and North Carolina with three each. Duke had one selection.

The Cavaliers were also projected as the league favorite, garnering 21 points in the ACC Preseason Coaches' Poll. Notre Dame (18), Syracuse (15), Duke (11) and North Carolina (10) rounded out the voting in succession.

2020 Preseason All-ACC Team
Attack: Chris Gray, Jr., North Carolina
Attack: Michael Kraus, Sr. Virginia
Attack: Matt Moore, Jr., Virginia
Midfield: Dox Aitken, Sr., Virginia
Midfield: Bryan Costabile, Sr., Notre Dame
Midfield: Brendan Curry, Jr., Syracuse
Defense: JT Giles-Harris, Sr., Duke
Defense: Nick Mellen, Sr., Syracuse
Defense: Jack Kielty, Sr., Notre Dame
Goalkeeper: Drake Porter, Sr., Syracuse
Goalkeeper: Caton Johnson, So., North Carolina
Face-Off: Charlie Leonard, Sr., Notre Dame
Long-Stick Midfielder: Jared Conners, Sr., Virginia
Short-Stick Midfielder: Peter Dearth, Sr., Syracuse
Short-Stick Midfielder: Connor Maher, So., North Carolina

Mellen, a redshirt senior, has been a centerpiece of the Orange defense since his freshman season. The Syracuse, N.Y. native enters his final season with the Orange fifth in career caused turnovers. Another strong season would put the two-time All-American Mellen in elite company, joining Jack Salerno, Kevin Sheehan, Jeff Desko, Pat McCabe, Ric Beardsley, Marshall Abrams, John Lade and Brandon Mullins as the only close defenders in program history to earn All-America accolades in three seasons.

Curry, the Orange's only junior captain, started all 14 games, tying linemate Trimboli for the lead amongst midfielders with 33 points (19-14). The Lutherville, Maryland native was a USILA Third Team All-American last season.

Porter posted the highest save percentage by an Orange goaltender since John Galloway in 2011 last season. The senior enters 2020 having recorded 10-or-more saves in 13 of his 14 career starts.

Dearth is one of the nation's best short-stick defensive midfielders. His 15 caused turnovers was third on the team a year ago and most by any player with a short stick. A USILA Third Team All-American last season, Dearth has proven to be a true two-way threat, scoring six goals last season to complement his defensive accolades.

Syracuse opens the regular season on Friday, Feb. 7 when Colgate visits the Dome at 4 p.m. 2020 Season tickets are now on sale. You can be part of that action and join the nation's largest lacrosse crowds by purchasing season tickets for just $65 for adults and $35 for youth (12 and under). Student tickets are free with a valid student ID. Season tickets for the upcoming season are now on sale at Cuse.com/tickets and at the Syracuse Box Office (888-DOME-TIX or in person at the Ensley Athletic Center).

Syracuse University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Brendan Curry

Peter Dearth

Jeff Desko

Nick Mellen

Brandon Mullins

Drake Porter

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