CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (Feb. 10, 2012) - The East Coast Conference office announced the league's head coaches' picks for the 2012 Men's Lacrosse Preseason Poll and the Mercy College Mavericks were selected fifth out of the 11-team conference. In addition, junior goalkeeper T.J. DiCarlo (Farmingdale, N.Y.) was voted the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Here is the link to the video outlining the coaches' Preseason Poll, presented by the ECC office.

The Mavericks finished last season with a 11-3 overal record and a 7-3 slate in the ECC. Mercy concluded the 2011 season with a No. 7 national ranking, and jumped as high as sixth in the country earlier in the campaign -- in only the Mavericks' second year of existence.

Other preseason honors for the Mavericks this season included a No. 7 national ranking from Inside Lacrosse Face-off Magazine, as well as four preseason All-Americans: DiCarlo, junior defender Mike Munch (West Babylon, N.Y.), junior attackman Mike Marzocca (North Babylon, N.Y.) and junior midfielder John Lionetti (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.). DiCarlo was chosen as the preseason Division II Goalkeeper of the Year.

Head Coach Steve Manitta, who was voted the ECC Coach of the Year in 2011, and his squad kickoff the 2012 campaign with a home contest against conference-opponent Chestnut Hill College on Saturday, February 25. The opening faceoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Please continue to check www.MercyAthletics.com for where the game will be played.

2012 ECC Men's Lacrosse Preseason Poll:

1. Mercyhurst - 118 points

2. C.W. Post - 110

3. Dowling - 97

4. NYIT - 90

5. Mercy - 77

6. Seton Hill - 56

7. Chestnut Hill - 48

8. Lake Erie - 47

9. Molloy - 45

10. Wheeling Jesuit - 22

11. Dominican (N.Y.) - 16