DEFENDING NATIONAL CHAMPIONS SELECTED TO RE-CLAIM CONFERENCE MEN'S LACROSSE TITLE
Central Islip, NY (2/17/09) The New York Institute of Technology Bears has been selected the East Coast Conference preseason favorite as voted on by the league's coaches. C.W. Post fills in the No. 2 slot while Mercyhurst was selected to finish third.
Ege, Lashomb Earn Preseason Honors
Courtesy of Melissa Perry, Director of Media Relations for the East Coast Conference
Central Islip, NY (2/17/09) The New York Institute of Technology Bears has been selected the East Coast Conference preseason favorite as voted on by the league's coaches. C.W. Post fills in the No. 2 slot while Mercyhurst was selected to finish third.
The Bears had a nearly perfect 2008 season, compiling a 13-1 overall record. They finished 5-1 in conference play to claim the 2008 ECC title and earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament. After defeating Limestone, 11-8, in the Semifinals, the Bears advanced to the National Championship game at Gillette Stadium. NYIT rebounded from a 5-2 first quarter deficit to defeat Le Moyne, 16-11, and capture their fourth national title. C.W. Post and Mercyhurst tied with the No. 4 pick Dowling for second place last year with a 4-2 ECC record.
Ed Ege of Adelphi has been tabbed the 2009 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Ege led the nation in points (74) and assists (52) last season and netted 22 goals in his 12 games.
2008 Division II Goalie of the Year and First Team All-America pick, Jason Lashomb of Mercyhurst was selected this year's Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Lashomb had 125 stops between the pipes to compile a 60.1 save percentage and allowed only 6.25 goals per game.
2009 East Coast Conference Preseason Poll
| Team | Points |
| NYIT (6) | 46 |
| C.W. Post (1) | 42 |
| Merychurst | 36 |
| Dowling | 25 |
| Adelphi | 24 |
| Molloy | 16 |
| Dominican | 7 |
* First place votes are in parenthesis
Preseason Offensive Player: Ed Ege (Sr., A, Rockville Centre, N.Y.)
Preseason Defensive Player: Jason Lashomb (Sr., GK, Rush, N.Y)
About the ECC
Founded as the New York Collegiate Athletic Conference in 1989
and rechristened the East Coast Conference in July 2006, the ECC
was formed to enhance intercollegiate athletic competition among
member institutions and to assist them in integrating athletics
into their academic program in a fiscally sound way. The ECC is
committed to the highest standards of scholarship, sportsmanship,
teamwork, and citizenship. Its mission is to promote the total
person concept in its student-athletes, which stresses the
abilities to excel in academic achievement, athletic competition,
and positive character traits. East Coast Conference
(www.eccsports.org) members for 2008-2009 include: Adelphi
University (Garden City, NY); University of Bridgeport (CT);
Concordia College (Bronxville, NY); C.W. Post Campus of Long Island
University (Brookville, NY); Dowling College (Oakdale, NY); Mercy
College (Dobbs Ferry, NY); Molloy College (Rockville Centre, NY);
New York Institute of Technology (Old Westbury, N.Y); Queens
College (Flushing, NY); and St. Thomas Aquinas College (Sparkill,
NY).
The ECC sponsors the following championship sports: baseball;
men's and women's basketball; men's and women's cross country;
men's and women's lacrosse; softball; men's and women's tennis;
men's and women's soccer; and women's volleyball.
The East Coast Conference is a proud member of the NCAA and
Division II. Division II is a dynamic and engaging group of
colleges, institutions and conferences of varying sizes and
educational missions. Division II members encourage and support
diversity; value sportsmanship, fairness and equity; and place the
highest priority on the overall educational excellence of the
student-athlete.