Jan. 29, 2008

Inside Lacrosse 2008 Top 20 Defensemen in NCAA DI

Three Patriot Leaguers were named by Inside Lacrosse on its top-20 list of defensemen heading into the 2008 campaign. Navy's Jordan DiNola was the League's top-ranking defender, coming in fifth on the list. Army's Jay Larson was ranked 17th and Bucknell's Billy Haire was 18th.

DiNola was a First-Team All-Patriot League selection a year ago as a defenseman and was an honorable mention All-American. The senior defender heads into this season as a second-team preseason All-American. He is a member of the Navy defense that ranked third in the nation in scoring defense (6.60) in 2007. The Mids gave up just 33 goals in Patriot League play last year on the way to their fourth-straight League tournament title and NCAA berth.

Larson's Black Knight squad ended the year 10th in the county in scoring defense, allowing just 7.80 goals per game. The senior defender was honored on the All-Patriot League team for the first time in his career in 2007, garnering second-team status.

Haire joined DiNola on the First-Team All-Patriot League list as a defender last season. Bucknell boasted the top defense in the Patriot League, ranking second in the NCAA in scoring defense (6.33). The Patriot League will be kicking off the 2008 men's lacrosse season with a media teleconference on Wednesday, Jan. 30 at 11 a.m. All seven Patriot League head coaches will be on the call to give opening statements and answer questions from the media. The 2008 Patriot League preseason poll and preseason award winners will be announced on the call. For dial-in information please contact Patriot League Associate Media Relations Director Jessica Siegel.

Navy will be the first Patriot League team to officially take the field with its first game on Feb. 9 at home against VMI.