St. John Fisher Athletic Communications
Men's Lacrosse | 2/1/2022 11:45:00 AM
With the start of a new season just weeks away, the nationally-ranked St. John Fisher College men's lacrosse team caught the eye of both the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) and Inside Lacrosse as the Cardinals had seven student-athletes named Preseason All-America on Monday – more than any other program in Division III.
Fisher, which is also ranked seventh in the Inside Lacrosse Division III preseason rankings and ninth in the USILA's preseason poll, is coming off of its second straight Empire 8 Championship and appearance in the NCAA Championship as the Cardinals return a roster loaded with talent that has national championship aspirations.
Faceoff specialist Joe Post was named a Preseason All-American for the third consecutive season after the Canandaigua, NY native earned a spot on the USILA's First-Team after earning the same recognition from USA Lacrosse Magazine's in December.
Post, who became the program's first-ever USILA First-Team All-America selection at the conclusion of last season, dominated the faceoff game for Fisher a year ago. An All-American in each of the last four seasons on the roster, Post was among the Division III leaders as has won over 70 percent of his faceoffs taken (267-for-378). Post's prowess at the faceoff game also sparked Fisher's high-powered offense at times as he tallied five goals and two assists.
The Canandaigua Academy graduate corralled a team-high 161 ground balls on the season and concluded the year as Fisher's all-time leader in both ground balls and faceoff wins.
Senior Ian Evans was also recognized as a First-Team Preseason All-American. The Lafayette, NY native was named Second-Team All-American for the first time in his career by the USILA following a standout junior campaign. The 2021 Empire 8 Player of the Year, Evans, who was also named First-Team All-Conference, led Fisher and the conference with 76 total points including 48 goals and 28 assists. Evans, who was named the league's Rookie of the Year in 2019, was responsible for four goals or more in a game six times and was featured in Sportscenter's Top 10 plays last season.
One of the most prolific scorers in program history, Evans produced five points or more in a game on eight occasions in 2021 and set the program record for the most points registered in a single game on May 15th when he finished with 11 in the Cardinals' win over Maritime College in the opening round of the NCAA Championship.
One of the top long poles in the country, Roger Panara was also named a First-Team Preseason All-American after playing in all 16 games last season. Panara, who was named an Honorable Mention All-American at the conclusion of the 2021 season, was among the Empire 8's leaders with 11 caused turnovers. The Canandaigua, NY native scored four goals on the year and assisted on two others while his 42 ground balls was fourth on the roster.
In addition to Panara, Fisher also boasts one of the top defensive middies in Division III as Matt Jeffries was named a First-Team Preseason All-American as well. Jeffries, who was tabbed an Honorable Mention All-American in 2021, turned in a strong season last year after ranking second on the team with 48 ground balls and was third overall with eight caused turnovers. The fifth-year player scored three goals and had one assist as he was often tasked with guarding some of the top scoring threats in the country last season.
A Second-Team Preseason All-American leading into the 2022 season, Kyle Rochester is coming off a season that saw him anchor one of the top defenses in the region. Rochester, who was named an Honorable Mention All-American last season, was part of a back line that allowed just 10 goals to its opposition on average. With Rochester on the field, Fisher limited its opponents to six goals of fewer in a game six times overall. The senior also scooped up 25 ground balls and caused nine turnovers over 16 games played in 2021.
Additionally, midfielder Jack Mulvihill added to his collection of accolades after being named a Second-Team Preseason All-American. A Second-Team All-American last year, Mulvihill produced another standout season in 2021. Now a four-time All-American in his career, the Dewitt, NY native appeared in 14 games last season and ranked third among his teammates with 47 points. He finished the year with 28 goals, 19 assists and was credited with 23 ground balls and 79 shots.
Attackman Nicholas Miller was named a Third-Team USILA Preseason All-American. The Ithaca, NY native, who was chosen as a Third-Team All-American selection by the USILA last season, ranked second on the team with 69 total points in 2021. He had a record-breaking senior season as he became Fisher's all-time leading scorer with 180 goals and 256 points to his credit. Miller, who was named the 2021 Empire 8 Championship's Most Valuable Player after leading the team to a 20-9 win over Nazareth College in the title game, posted 45 goals, 24 assists and was credited with 26 ground balls and nine caused turnovers.
The Cardinals were also highly touted by Inside Lacrosse with seven All-American nods. Post was named First Team while Evans, Miller and Rochester were named Second Team. Mulvihill was the team's lone representative on the Third Team while Panara and Jeffries were each named Honorable Mention.
Head coach Dave Dobbins' squad is set to begin its season at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 26th when it travels to Ithaca for a non-conference bout at Higgins Stadium.
