RICHMOND, Va. – The Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) has announced its annual Preseason Men's Lacrosse All-CAA Team, as well as the league's predicted order of finish, according to the head coaches. The Preseason lists were announced Thursday morning.
Two Tigers, James Avanzato and Koby Smith, earned mention on the 2022 Preseason Men's Lacrosse All-CAA Team. Avanzato was selected as an attackman while Smith was among the defensemen named.
Towson was slotted fourth in the Preseason Coaches Poll, garnering 13 points. Reigning champion Drexel was picked first with 24 points and four of the six first place votes while Delaware was second with 22 points and a pair of first-place nods. UMass was third with 17 points. Hofstra (9) and Fairfield (5) were picked fifth and sixth, respectively.
Last spring, Avanzato was the Tigers' top threat on offense, leading the Black & Gold in both points (40) and assists (22). The Lake Grove, New Yorker finished third among Towson players with 18 goals last season while posting seven multi-goal games, including hat tricks against No. 5 Virginia (Feb. 6) and Drexel (May 1). Avanzato had a career outing against Delaware (March 20), aiding in seven of Towson's 12 goals at Delaware Stadium, scoring twice while adding five assists in an overtime thriller. The Sachem North High School product logged three extra-man goals as well while starting all 14 games at attack.
A perennial All-CAA pick, Smith was also named Preseason Media All-America Honorable Mention by Inside Lacrosse earlier this month. Last season, Smith started in all 14 games for the Tigers as a close defenseman. The four-year starter caused 13 turnovers, including a season-best three against top-ranked Duke (Feb. 20). Smith snagged 23 ground balls, with six coming in Towson's overtime win over Saint Joseph's (Feb. 13). During the 2021 season, Smith posted two points on one goal and one assist while helping Towson to an 84.8 clearing percentage.
In addition to co-captain duties last spring, Smith was an Inside Lacrosse Media All-America Honorable Mention pick, USILA Honorable Mention All-America and earned All-CAA honors as a defenseman.
Delaware had two players win preseason major awards: Mike Robinson was selected as Preseason Offensive Player of the Year while Owen Grant was selected as the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
The Tigers officially open the 2022 season under the lights on Friday, Feb. 11 as Towson continues its long-standing rivalry with No. 19 Johns Hopkins University. Opening faceoff is set for 6 p.m. at Johnny Unitas ® Stadium.
Season tickets are still available for the 2022 season. Season ticket prices have been set at $40 for adults, $25 for youth (ages 5-17) and $25 for seniors (65 years or older). All seating at Johnny Unitas ® Stadium for men's lacrosse is general admission on the north side of the Stadium.
Tickets can be purchased by visiting TowsonTigers.com, clicking here for Towson's TicketMaster site, or by calling 1-855-TU-TIGER (1-855-888-4437).
2022 CAA Men's Lacrosse Preseason Poll
- Drexel (4) - 24
- Delaware (2) - 22
- UMass - 17
- Towson - 13
- Hofstra - 9
- Fairfield - 5
2022 Preseason Men's Lacrosse All-CAA Team
Attack: James Avanzato, Towson
Attack: Sean Donnelly, Drexel
Attack: Tye Kurtz, Delaware
Attack: Mike Robinson, Delaware
Midfield: Cam Acchione, Delaware
Midfield: Ryan Genord, Drexel
Midfield: Jack Mulcahy, Drexel
Midfield: Taylor Strough, Fairfield
Midfield: Kevin Tobin, UMass
Long-Stick Midfielder: Jack Farrell, Drexel
Face-Off Specialist: Brain Herber, Hofstra
Defense: Sam Eisenstadt, UMass
Defense: Owen Grant, Delaware
Defense: Sean Quinn, Drexel
Defense: Koby Smith, Towson
Goalkeeper: Matt Kilkeary, Delaware
Goalkeeper: Matt Knote, UMass
2022 CAA Men's Lacrosse Preseason POTY's
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Mike Robinson, Delaware
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Owen Grant, Delaware
