Trojans second in preseason conference men’s lacrosse poll

MOUNT OLIVE – After a 10-win campaign and a runner-up finish in the league championship last season, the University of Mount Olive men’s lacrosse program was picked second in the preseason Conference Carolinas poll, which was released by the league office on Tuesday, Jan. 31.

The Trojans finished with a 10-6 overall record with a 5-1 mark in conference action in 2022. Mount Olive registered double-digit wins for the eighth time in program history and made its fifth appearance in the Conference Carolinas championship. UMO is currently receiving votes in the Nike/USA Lacrosse Division II Men’s Preseason Top 20 poll released in early January and returns five all-conference honorees.

In August 2022, Mount Olive announced Dylan Price as the new head coach of the program following a one-year stint in the same role at William Peace, a Division III program. He previously spent seven years on staff at Mount Olive, including three seasons as the associate head coach. Price was named the Intercollegiate Men’s Lacrosse Coaches Association Stan Kowalski Division II Outstanding Assistant Coach of the Year in 2019.

Players to watch for the Trojans this season include senior midfielder Mike Marto of Saddle Brook, N.J. He was First Team All-Conference Carolinas and U.S. Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association honorable mention in 2022 and Conference Carolinas All-Tournament in 2021. Aidan Lalonde, a junior attacker from British Columbia, Canada was 2022 First Team All-Conference Carolinas. Cameron Norton, a sophomore defender from Arnold, Md. was 2022 Second Team All-Conference Carolinas.

Belmont Abbey, the two-time defending Conference Carolinas champions, was unanimously selected as the preseason favorites following a 10-5 record and a perfect 6-0 mark in conference play. Mount Olive was positioned second in the rankings, while North Greenville was slotted third following a trip to the semifinals of the conference tournament. Barton was picked fourth in the poll and Chowan rounded out the top five.

The Conference Carolinas semifinals and championship will be played on April 27 and April 29 at Ray McDonald Sr. Sports Complex on the campus of Mount Olive.

— From University of Mount Olive Athletics