Seven members of the Syracuse men’s lacrosse team were listed on Inside Lacrosse’s Preseason All-American list Tuesday, more than any other team in the nation.

Despite being listed at No. 8 in IL’s Face-Off Yearbook Top 20, the Orange feature Nick Mellen, Chase Scanlan, Brendan Curry, Drake Porter, Peter Dearth and Brett Kennedy on the All-American teams. Tucker Dordevic earned an honorable mention.

Mellen, a redshirt senior, was SU’s only first-team selection. Mellen was elected as team captain for his senior season after starting all 14 games at close defense, leading the team with 19 caused turnovers and picking up 31 ground balls in 2018-19.

Scanlan, Curry and Porter were listed on IL’s second team. After winning a goalie battle heading into last season, Porter started in the cage for the first time in his Syracuse career. With a full season of experience, Porter is more confident heading into his senior season, he said.

“I think for me there is less worry personally,” Porter said. “I don’t have to be as nervous not knowing what’s going on.”

Rounding out Syracuse’s All-American selections were Dearth – a defensive midfielder – and Kennedy – a long stick midfielder –on the third team.

Dordevic will join Scanlan and redshirt senior Stephen Rehfuss as key parts of Syracuse’s new-look attack led by newly-hired assistant coach Pat March.

“The more they play together,” March said. “The better they will get.”

Published on January 21, 2020 at 1:17 pm

Contact Mitchell: mbannon@syr.edu