University of Massachusets Athletics
Four Minutemen Garner Preseason Honors
December 29, 2003 | Men's Lacrosse
Dec. 29, 2003
AMHERST, Mass. - Four University of Massachusetts lacrosse players were named to one of four preseason All-America squads recently announced by Inside Lacrosse magazine. In addition, the Minutemen were picked seventh in the preseason top 25 poll by the same publication.
Two UMass players were named to the 15-player second team. Senior attack Jeff Zywicki (Napean, Ontario) was one of the two Minutemen selected to the second team. Zywicki led the Minutemen last season with 62 points (41 g, 21 a), becoming UMass' first 40-20 player since 1993 when Mark Millon accomplished the feat. He was named first team All-ECAC and All-New England and was a USILA third team All-America selection a year ago. He finished the season ranked fourth in the country in total points and sixth in points per game. He currently has 92 career points (58 g, 34 a), while playing in 39 career games.
Junior defenseman Matt Garcia (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.) was also named to the second team after earning All-ECAC first team recognition and second team All-New England honors in 2003. Garcia was part of a stingy defense that ranked in the nation's top 20 in scoring defense, despite playing an uptempo style. He scooped up 35 ground balls while playing in all 16 games, including a career-best five in UMass' 9-6 NCAA Tournament victory over Hofstra.
Sophomore defenseman Jack Reid (Glastonbury, Conn.) was named to the third team after a stellar freshman season. Reid played in all 16 games, scooping up 33 ground balls, and was named second team All-ECAC and All-New England. He was also honored on the Inside Lacrosse All-Freshman team.
Junior attack Chris Doyle (Putnam Valley, N.Y.) was named honorable mention. Doyle enjoyed a solid sophomore season, scoring 23 points (19 g, 4 a). His two best performances came against NCAA semifinalists, Syracuse and Maryland, where he recorded the first two hat tricks of his career. Doyle has 26 career points (19 g, 7 a).
In addition to the individual honors, the Minutemen were picked in the top ten in two different publications for the national preseason poll. UMass was chosen No. 7 in the Inside Lacrosse poll, and 10th in the Lacrosse Magazine preseason poll. Defending national champion Virginia was picked first in the Inside Lacrosse poll, and Johns Hopkins was first in the Lacrosse Magazine poll. The Minutemen will play eight teams ranked in the Inside Lacrosse Top 25.
The Minutemen will open the season on Feb. 28 against No. 8-ranked North Carolina in Baltimore.
