McClure and Leonard Earn Preseason Accolades

Central Islip, NY (2/12/10) The 2009 National Champion C.W. Post Pioneers have been tabbed the men's lacrosse preseason for the 2010 season.  Mercyhurst follows up in the second spot, and rounding out the top three are the Bears of NYIT. 

The Pioneers accumulated 111 total points with five first place votes to take the top spot on the Preseason Poll.  They compiled an overall record of 15-1 in 2009 suffering their only loss to LeMoyne College.  Their trip to the NCAA Tournament featured a decisive win over Limestone College, and then a one goal victory over number one LeMoyne in the final.  

Mercyhurst compiled 108 points with four first place votes in Poll.  They concluded the 2009 season with a record of 11-3 while going 4-2 in ECC play.  NYIT, claimed the final two votes and with a 103 points finish third in the poll.  The 2008 National Champions, finished last season with an overall record of 10-2 and 4-2 in the ECC.

The 2010 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year has been awarded to senior John McClure from Dowling College.  In 2009, McClure was tabbed as a USILA All-American Honorable Mention and named to the ECC All-Conference First Team.  He led the nation with 54 goals and dished out 13 assists while collecting 53 groundballs and causing five turnovers and had been dubbed a Pre-Season All-American.   

Two-time All-American Bryan Leonard has been named as the 2010 Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.   The junior was a 2009 ECAC All-Star and was named to the ECC All-Conference First Team.  Leonard scooped up 21 groundballs and caused 19 turnovers while contributing two goals and an assist for three points on the 2009 season. 

2010 East Coast Conference Preseason Poll

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: John McClure, Sr., ATT, Dowling

Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Bryan Leonard, Sr., DEF., C.W. Post

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 members include: University of Bridgeport (Conn.); C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University (Brookville, N.Y.); Dowling College (Oakdale, N.Y.); Mercy College (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.); Molloy College (Rockville Centre, N.Y.); New York Institute of Technology (Old Westbury, N.Y.); Queens College (Flushing, N.Y.); and St. Thomas Aquinas College (Sparkill, N.Y.).

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.