Kyle Lewis Named Division II Men's Preseason Player of the Year

After a year in which he lifted Adelphi to the NCAA championship by delivering the overtime winner against Tampa in the title game, Kyle Lewis is the USA Lacrosse Division II Men’s Preseason Player of the Year.

The midfielder’s production has increased every year since he arrived on campus, climbing to 72 points in the a year ago. Lewis ranked second on the Panthers in assists, an impressive feat for a midfielder, but he showed off his best skills in the NCAA title game. 

With an explosive first step that’s unparalleled by anyone else in the country, Lewis hit the game-winner on a dodge and score that secured Adelphi’s second straight title.

Lewis opted to test the waters of the transfer portal after last season and received heavy interest, but the middie is back and on the hunt for a three-peat with the Panthers.

Lewis, who is also the Preseason Midfielder of the Year, is joined by a handful of others who were named as the best at their respective positions on Wednesday. See them all below.

Attackman of the Year

Braden Donnellan, Adelphi

A full-time starter since he arrived on campus, Donnellan posted a 30-30 season as a freshman and nearly doubled his output last year, posting 110 points. The Massapequa, N.Y., native was last year’s Jack Turnbull Award winner as the top attackman in the nation. Donnellan plays the role of elite scorer, passer and dodger all rolled into one. Sharp angles and crowded passing lanes be damned, Donnellan is a constant threat to carve up a defense.

MIDFIELDER OF THE YEAR

Kyle Lewis, Adelphi

The fact that Lewis had several high-level Division I suitors when he entered the transfer portal yet still chose to return to Adelphi in search of a three-peat speaks volumes — and it’s bad news for everyone in Division II that isn’t Adelphi.

Defenseman of the Year

Ries Bower, Adelphi

Few defensemen impact both ends of the field in the ways that Bower does. The Canadian’s toughness comes through on every play. He led the Panthers with 46 caused turnovers a year ago. He also scooped up 74 ground balls, the best mark on the team outside of faceoff specialists. That translates to Bower being top 10 on the team in scoring, with 14 points on six goals and eight assists a year ago. Bower handles tough matchups and doesn’t just win them; he turns them into transition chances for the Panthers.

Specialist of the Year

Matthew Mancini, Lenoir-Rhyne

In a year when top faceoff specialists were regularly hitting 80-percent win rates game in and game out, Mancini was among the best. This spring, he will look to solidify himself as the alpha dog at the X for the Bears. It’s never easy to improve when a target is on your back, but don’t be shocked if Manicini somehow eclipses 200 ground balls and breaks the 70-percent win rate.

Goalie of the Year

Finn Granara, Saint Anselm

New England born and bred, Granara made the No. 1 spot in the cage his own last year following a successful freshman campaign that saw him start seven games. The Reading, Mass., native improved in every statistical category as a full-time starter and will be between the pipes for the Hawks as they attempt to get to the NCAA semifinals once again.