Four Named Preseason All-Americans by Inside Lacrosse

NORTH ANDOVER, MA – Four men’s lacrosse players, headlined by first-team selection Cory Spinale (Wakefield, MA) were named to Preseason All-Americans by Inside Lacrosse.

Spinale was a first-team selection, while Nick Maggio (Winchester, MA) earned second-team honors, and Michael Balbuena (Falmouth, MA) and Shane Mahar (Slingerlands, NY) were honorable mentions. The four selections are the most among any Northeast-10 team, and one more than the defending NE-10 Champion Le Moyne Dolphins.

"It shows that we have a very talented team returning and expect to contend for the National Championship again this year," said head coach Mike Morgan. "Nick, Cory, Shane and Mike have all worked very hard and we are happy for them that they were mentioned in this elite group. I believe this core group along with many other talented upperclassmen as well as our incoming class, can make this a very successful year."

Spinale, who is a two-time Northeast-10 all-conference selection and an All-American in 2008, is the lone goaltender on the first team. Now a senior, he was 14-3 with a .633 save percentage and a 7.25 goals-against last season.

Maggio emerged as Merrimack’s top faceoff specialist in his freshman campaign in 2009 and earned all-rookie team honors by the Northeast-10. He won 61% of his draws and chipped in with a goal and four assists offensively.

Balbuena, an all-conference second-team selection in 2009, was sixth in the conference with 41 points (28 goals, 13 assists). He enters his junior season with 47 goals and 31 assists in his 32-game career.

Mahar, a junior for the 2010 season, emerged as a premiere defender in 2009, causing 15 turnovers and tallying 31 ground balls. His lone goal was the game-winner in the Northeast-10 Semifinals against Bentley.

The Merrimack men’s lacrosse team advanced to its first-ever Final Four in 2009, losing just three times, while posting a 14-3 record. Led by third-year head coach Mike Morgan, they will open the 2010 season at C.W. Post, the 2009 defending champion on February 27 at 12 p.m.


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