University of Massachusets Athletics
Leveille Named Preseason Player of the Year
January 24, 2003 | Men's Lacrosse
Jan. 24, 2003
AMHERST, Mass. - Three University of Massachusetts lacrosse players earned spots on the preseason All-ECAC teams announced today. Seniors Kevin Leveille (Delmar, N.Y.), Chris Fiore (Freeport, N.Y.) and Tom Fallon (Shaker Heights, Ohio) all were named on the first team.
Leveille was selected as the ECAC preseason offensive player of the year after being named a second team All-American last season. Leveille also earned first team All-ECAC and All-New England last season after scoring 48 points (36 g, 12 a). The senior midfielder needs 26 points to rank in the school's top 15 in career scoring and needs just 13 goals and 21 assists to rank in the top 15 of those respective categories. Leveille has appeared in all 44 games since arriving on campus and has scored 108 career points (71 g, 37 a). He is a preseason first team All-America selection by Faceoff Yearbook.
Fiore was named to the team after being named honorable mention All-America last season as a junior. Fiore was named to the first team All-ECAC and first team All-New England last season after scoring 46 points (34 g, 12 a), which was good for fourth on the team. He earned a spot on the preseason second team All-America for the upcoming season.
Fallon was the last of the trio, following a stellar junior year in the defensive end for the Minutemen. Last season, Fallon was named second team All-ECAC and third team All-New England. He was part of a defense that allowed under 10 goals a game, and tallied one assist on the season. He scooped up 40 ground balls, including at least two in all but two appearances. He was honored by Faceoff Yearbook as a third team preseason All-American.
The Minutemen, who were ranked eighth in the preseason top 25 poll, were picked to finish second behind ECAC rival Georgetown. The Hoyas earned four first-place votes in the poll and are ranked sixth nationally in the preseason. The Minutemen gained the other two first-place votes and are followed by Penn State, Navy, UMBC and Rutgers.
The Minutemen open the season on Feb. 22 with a 1:00 p.m. game against Sacred Heart at Garber Field.
