The Wilmington College men's lacrosse team was picked to finish sixth in the eight-team Ohio Athletic Conference preseason poll, the league announced today (February 17, 2016).
"Even though it's a fairly new lacrosse conference, the OAC is tough," said Wilmington head coach Domenic Marzano. "Our goal for this season hasn't changed one bit though. We are looking forward to our home opener on the 27th."
Wilmington was picked ahead of first-year program Ohio Northern and Muskingum. Otterbein earned five of the eight first-place votes, and will be the preseason favorite. The Cardinals are followed by Capital, which earned the other three first-place votes, Baldwin Wallace, John Carroll and Mount Union.
The Fightin' Quakers are coming off the first winning season in program history, and despite losing their top offensive threat, returns plenty of weapons.
Senior Jalen Jackson (Hilliard, OH/Bradley) finished second on the team with 61 points, scoring 38 goals with a team-high 23 assists. His 61 points were fourth in the league.
Senior Alexander Gossard (Galloway, OH/Hilliard Bradley) tallied 31 goals, while junior Reid Delaney (Wooster, OH/Wooster) finished with 26 goals and 13 assists.
Sophomore Jhordan Lang (Sunbury, OH/Big Walnut) is poised for a big season after scoring 28 goals and eight assists.
Defensively, Wilmington returns three four-year starters in Austin Johnson (Columbus, OH/Hilliard Bradley), Alex Barton (Galloway, OH/Hilliard Bradley) and Zach Swenson (Milford, OH/Milford).
Additionally, junior Paul Koerbel (Maineville, OH/Kings) returns after starting his first two seasons.
