Men's Lacrosse

Salcido, Williams, Mellen named to Preseason All-ACC team

Daily Orange File Photo

As the nation's top face-off player, Ben Williams returns for one final season at SU.

No. 8 Syracuse’s Sergio Salcido, Ben Williams and Nick Mellen each was named to the Preseason All-ACC team on Tuesday morning.

A redshirt senior and 2016 second team All-American, Salcido scored 29 goals last year, second highest on the team after not scoring any goals in the previous two seasons. He added 24 assists as the everyday midfielder. This year, he’s one of five captains.

Williams returns as the country’s top face-off specialist, two years removed from his Tewaaraton Award nomination. He collected 111 groundballs last year.

Mellen, a sophomore defender, is the only underclassmen on the list. He played in 17 games as a freshman, starting 16, causing 14 turnovers and collecting 38 groundballs. He sustained an injury in the fall, but is expect to be ready for the season opener. SU head coach John Desko said Mellen will match up against the opponent’s best player all season.

North Carolina was picked No. 1 and SU No. 3. by the conference’s coaches. Syracuse’s regular-season opener is Feb. 11 versus Albany in the Carrier Dome.



Preseason All-ACC Team
A – Justin Guterding, Jr., Duke
A – Luke Goldstock, Sr., North Carolina
A – Mikey Wynne, Jr., Notre Dame
M – Michael Taliaferri, Sr., North Carolina
M – Sergio Perkovic, Sr., Notre Dame
M – Sergio Salcido, Sr., Syracuse
D – Austin Pifani, Sr., North Carolina
D – Garret Epple, Sr., Notre Dame
D – Nick Mellen, So., Syracuse
Goalkeeper – Shane Doss, Sr., Notre Dame
Face-off – Ben Williams, Sr., Syracuse
Long-stick Midfielder – Michael Howard, Sr., Virginia
Short-Stick Midfielder – Tate Jozokos, Sr., North Carolina

ACC Men’s Lacrosse Preseason Coaches Poll
1. North Carolina – 23
2. Notre Dame – 21
3. Syracuse – 16
4. Duke – 9
5. Virginia – 6





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