HPU’s Dan Lomas, Austin Geisler named Atlantic Sun Men’s Lacrosse Players of the Year

Sophomore Dan Lomas of the High Point University men’s lacrosse team was named the Atlantic Sun Offensive Player of the Year and redshirt-junior Austin Geisler was named the Defensive Player of the Year the league announced Wednesday. HPU had eight players selected to the All-Conference teams.

Lomas, Geisler, sophomore Jamie Piluso, sophomore Matt Thistle and junior Pat Farrell were named first team All-Atlantic Sun. Sophomore Brad James, senior Bucky Smith and senior Garrett Swaim were All-Atlantic Sun second team selections. Michael LeClair was named to the All-Freshman team. Tyler Cook was named the league’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Lomas led the league with 35 goals this season and is third in points with 39. Lomas has a point in each of the last 23 games and has a goal streak of 14 games. Lomas also has 33 ground balls and seven caused turnovers this season. Lomas was also the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.

Geisler was a six-time Defensive Player of the Week this season. He is second in the NCAA in saves per game (13.79) and fifth in save percentage (.596). He also leads the Atlantic Sun in goals against average (9.43) this season.

Piluso was the league’s only unanimous All-Conference selection. The face-off specialist led the league and is 18th in the NCAA with a .580 win percentage. Piluso is also third in the league with 5.14 ground balls per game. Piluso went 148-of-255 at the X this season with 72 ground balls. He had a career-high 12 ground balls at Richmond while going 20-of-22 on face-offs and was named the league’s Offensive Player of the Week for his performance.

Thistle earned first-team All-Conference honors after leading the league in points (3.36) and assists per game (2.36). Thistle totaled 47 points on 14 goals and 33 assists this season. He was named the Atlantic Sun Offensive Player of the Week on March 31 after a six-point performance against Furman.

Farrell led the HPU defense with 16 caused turnovers this season. He also picked up 15 ground balls while starting all 14 games. He had three caused turnovers in a key win over Jacksonville during the regular season.

James and Smith earned second team honors as staples of HPU’s first midfield line. James tallied 15 points on nine goals and six assists this season. Smith posted 12 goals and four assists for a total of 16 points on the year. Swaim had 10 caused turnovers and 23 ground balls to secure an All-Conference selection.

LeClair was named to the All-Freshman team after finishing third on the team in points behind Lomas and Thistle. He scored 12 goals to go with 10 assists for 22 points on the season. He also had 17 ground balls and two caused turnovers.

Cook carries a 4.0 in psychology after two years at High Point. He is a two-time Millis Scholar-Athlete. Cook tallied 12 points on 10 goals and two assists this season. He also picked up six ground balls with one caused turnover.

High Point won a share of the Atlantic Sun regular season championship and is the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament beginning Thursday in Macon,Ga. The Panthers will face No. 3 Jacksonville in the first semifinal game.

FIRST-TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE
FO Jamie Piluso, High Point
A Dan Lomas, High Point
A Matt Thistle, High Point
A Mickey Hofmeister, VMI
M Kenny Meinsen, Furman
M Cole Branch, Mercer
M Mitch Goldberg, Richmond
D Pat Farrell, High Point
D Austin Curtis, Jacksonville
D Tyler Prasnicki, VMI
LS Jackson Cabot, Richmond
G Austin Geisler, High Point

SECOND-TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE
A Chris Baxa, Mercer
A Zack Ward, Mercer
A Brad Burnam, Richmond
M Brad James, High Point
M Bucky Smith, High Point
M Timmy Geran, Mercer
D Garrett Swaim, High Point
D Colin Massa, Mercer
D Ryan Dennis, Richmond
D Brendan Hynes, Richmond
FO Hil Blaze, Furman
LS Tyler Black, Jacksonville
G Mike Nugent, Mercer

ALL-FRESHMEN TEAM
A Zack Coker, Furman
A Graham Dabbs, Furman
A Michael LeClair, High Point
A JP Forester, Richmond
M Mitch Goldberg, Richmond
M Scott Primeau, Furman
M Jean-Luc Chetner, Richmond
D Brendan Hynes, Richmond
D Colin Massa, Mercer
FO Hil Blaze, Furman
A Dan Ginestro, Richmond
M Dale Mattice, VMI

ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
Tyler Cook, High Point
Clay Adams, Furman
Ralph D’Agostino, Furman
Pete DeLuca, Jacksonville
Ray Banister, Jacksonville
Quint Miller, Jacksonville
Rory Dillon, VMI
Pat Hine, VMI
Rob Wertz, Jacksonville
JT Del Tufo, Mercer
Tyler Prasnicki, VMI
Domenick Stumpo, VMI

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Dan Lomas, High Point

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Austin Geisler, High Point

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Mitch Goldberg, Richmond

COACH OF THE YEAR
Kyle Hannan, Mercer

SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Tyler Cook, High Point