LATHAM, N.Y. - The United East has rolled out its Men’s Lacrosse preview for the 2024 season. The United East consists of six teams, with each program squaring off against one another in a 5-game conference season.
The top four teams will earn a bid to the postseason which begins on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. The 1-seed will host the 4-seed and the 2-seed will host the 3-seed in the semi-final round to advance to the weekend’s final. The final will be hosted at the highest remaining seed on Saturday, May 4, 2024.
The winner of the final will be crowned United East Champion and earn the conference’s automatic qualifier into the NCAA Division III Men’s Lacrosse Championship.
Bryn Athyn College
Head Coach Jack Crawford begins his 5th season in charge of Bryn Athyn College Men’s Lacrosse with an experienced roster and fresh off of a Coach of the Year honor in 2023. Senior attacker Jamal White returns after a First Team All-Conference nod in 2023 where he scored 30 goals and handed out 22 assists for 52 total points. Senior Tim Ragan handled the middle as a First Team All-Conference honoree where he scored 9 goals and handed out 11 assists while sophomore defender Dylan Fesmire was also First Team All-Conference after causing 22 turnovers and picking up 3 goals and an assist in 2023. The Lions open up the 2024 campaign with a matchup against La Roche University on March 9th and have non-conference games against Centenary University, Gwynedd Mercy and Purchase College. United East play begins on March 30th as Bryn Athyn hosts Keystone.
Coach’s Outlook: “Team returns most of its roster from 2023 and that should provide the experience and leadership for a successful 2024 campaign.”
Cairn University
Dr. Greg Parker Jr. is in his first season as interim Head Coach for Cairn University Men’s Lacrosse in 2024. An experienced squad returns after a championship game appearance in 2023 buoyed by an incoming class to stay consistent in 2024. Junior goalkeeper Nico Cione was a First Team All-Conference performer in 2023 as well as the Cairn University Male Athlete of the Year. Senior attacker Jon Balsamo is the top points-scorer in program history with 93 and earned First Team All-Conference honors as well while senior midfielder Charles Cotton contributed 6 goals and 11 assists on the season. The Highlanders open 2024 on February 24 with a matchup against Immaculata before non-conference matchups with Delaware Valley, Neumann, and Centenary University populate the March schedule. United East play begins on March 30th against Penn College.
Coach’s Outlook: “This season seemed hopeless for these players a month ago, but much like Jesus' words to the deceased child, "Child, arise," we are now alive, well, and remarkably on our way. The subsequent words of Jesus were "give her something to eat" (Luke 8:55). Having resurrected their season, I am not only proud of these players but also excited to see how hungry they are.”
Keystone College
Brett Capps begins his third season as Head Coach of Keystone College’s men’s lacrosse team and continues to build a competitive squad each season. A strong sophomore class had individual honors in their first collegiate season and look to improve in 2024. Cody Dembski was named Defensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year after picking up 163 ground balls, adding 5 goals, 1 assist, and winning 69% of his Face Offs. Sophomore classmate Ryan Smith was a First Team All-Conference honoree after scoring 35 goals, 4 assists, picking up 41 ground balls, and causing 15 turnovers. The Giants open the season on February 24th against SUNY Cobleskill and have non-conference matchups against Albertus Magnus College, Husson University, Lycoming College, and Marywood University before United East play begins on March 30 with a matchup against Bryn Athyn College.
Coach’s Outlook: “I am very optimistic about this upcoming season and expect great things.”
Penn College
Beginning his fourth season at the helm of Penn College Men’s Lacrosse, Jordan Williams brings back an experienced team looking to take another step in their program development in 2024. Junior defender Mason Nester earned Second Team All-Conference honors after a 2023 in which he caused 18 turnovers and picked up 32 ground balls while junior attacker Sam Hills netted 37 goals, handed out 20 assists, and earned Second Team All-Conference honors as well. Senior Mike Stank won 54.5% of his face offs and picked up 34 ground balls from a specialist position. The Wildcats open up 2024 at Misericordia University and have non-conference matchups with Shenandoah, Immaculata, and Juniata in addition to a spring break trip to North Carolina to play against William Peace University and Greensboro College. United East play begins on March 30 at home versus Cairn University.
Coach’s Outlook: “We return a large amount of our starters and contributors, while bringing in a talented freshman class and a few transfers looking to make an early impact. We have upped our SOS out of conference again to challenge ourselves prior to UE play. We have a hard working group who is looking to continue to take the next steps as a team on the field and can't wait to get going in a few weeks.”
Rosemont College
Head Coach Ernie Shapiro begins his seventh season in charge of Rosemont College’ Men’s Lacrosse. Fresh off of a perfect 5-0 conference record and conference championship in 2023, the Ravens have some experienced players ready to compete in the United East. Junior attacker Navarro Blakes earned First Team All-Conference honors after posting 19 goals, 67 assists, and finishing #1 in NCAA Division III Men’s Lacrosse with 4.5 Assists per Game. Senior Greg Wever had 15 points on 10 goals and 5 assists out of the middle. The Ravens open up 2024 with a matchup against FDU-Florham. Other non-conference matchups include Neumann University, Delaware Valley University, King’s College, and Wilkes University before United East play begins on March 27th when St. Mary’s College of Maryland visits Rosemont’s campus.
Coach’s Outlook: “We are excited to be in the United East Conference and look forward to the competition.”
St. Mary’s College of Maryland
Jason Childs begins his 9th season in charge of St. Mary’s College of Maryland men’s lacrosse team in 2024 with an experienced team, led by a trio of Honorable Mention All-Americans, looking for continued successes and a NCAA Tournament run. Senior Ethan Little was an Honorable Mention All-American last year and United East Defensive Player of the Year after posting 10 Goals, 2 Assists, 71 Ground Balls, and 41 Caused Turnovers. Keegan Preis (Jr., Attack) was Honorable Mention All-American and United East Offensive Player of the Year after posting 20 Goals and 66 Assists. Junior Quinnten Hatfield (Defensive Midfield) was Honorable Mention All-American and 1st Team All-United East after netting 6 goals, 5 assist, 22 Caused Turnovers, and 40 Ground Balls. The Seahawks have non-conference matchups with Salisbury, Dickinson, Lynchburg, Hampden-Sydney, and Randolph-Macon before United East play begins on March 27th at Rosemont.
Coach’s Outlook: “We are excited to see where we go with the leadership we have. The 2023 class continued the legacy set by the classes before them and it is the 2024 class's turn. We return every defender who touched the field in both NCAA tournament games, so there is a ton of experience on tha side of the field. Offensively we are looking to some new comers and returners to replace the firepower we lost to graudation. Keegan Preis and Johnny McGrain will have a lot put on their shoulders early on as the younger players come into their own. We graduated a ton of faceoff wins with Mitch Boudreau moving on, but we will be looking to Matteo Ciccarello to have a great year picking up that slack created.”
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The United East boasts 17 NCAA Division III full member institutions which include: Bryn Athyn College, Cairn University, Cedar Crest College, Clarks Summit University, Gallaudet University, Keystone College, Lancaster Bible College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Harrisburg, Rosemont College, Saint Elizabeth University, St. Mary's College of Maryland, University of Valley Forge, and Wilson College. For more information, please visit gounitedeast.com.