(Photo Courtesy of Bellarmine Athletics)

The new year has come and that means that the 2024 college lacrosse season is just about a month away with the first games scheduled to be played on February, 3rd. Over the next few weeks Lacrosse Bucket will be taking a look at each conference heading into the upcoming season.

Here is a look at the ASUN heading into the 2024 season which includes some of the top teams to watch, Player of The Year predictions, and projected final standings.

Three Teams to Watch

Utah Utes

The defending ASUN champions lose just two major impact players from last season in faceoff man Cole Brams and pole Sammy Cambere. The Utes will see all five of its top five scorers return from a year ago, which includes leading scorer Jordan Hyde (35G/8A). That offense ended last spring as the second-best scoring offense in DI, averaging 16.12 goals per game. The likes of Joey Boylston (36GB/14CT) and Nikko DiPonio (24GB/9CT) return to lead the Utah defense, which was anchored by a freshman in Colin Lenskold (79 saves, 49%) last spring. Since joining the revamped league in 2022, Utah is 14-1 in ASUN play and has yet to lose a regular season conference contest. Andrew McMinn’s squad will be looking to continue that dominance in 2024.

Jacksonville Dolphins

Jacksonville has been rising under John Galloway but has still failed to win a conference title or make the NCAA Tournament. The 2024 season, however, brings much newness to the game’s southernmost DI program. The Dolphins have a new offensive coordinator in Shane Koppens and have also brought in JT Giles-Harris as a third assistant. Nine transfers also joined the program in the offseason. Those transfers, along with key returners such as attackman Jackson Intrieri (21G/24A) and SSDM Tucker Garrity (6G/7A/41GB/26CT), will be looking to fill in the gaps for a program that losses three of their top five scorers, their starting goalie, their top pole, and their top SSDM.

Bellarmine Knights

It was a record-setting year for Andy Whitley’s squad last season. Bellarmine went 11-6 overall, 5-4 in ASUN play, and advanced to the conference semifinals. The Knights’ 14-13 win over Mercer in the ASUN quarterfinals was the program’s first-ever postseason win. Those 11 overall wins set a program record for most in a season. From that squad much talent returns. That includes reigning ASUN Player of The Year Kyle Playsted (40G/39A), as well as fellow goalie JC Higginbotham (157 saves, 51%). Defenseman Brady Long (31GB/10CT) and Benny O’Rourk (40G/20A) are among other major returners on both ends.

Top Players

Offensive Player of The Year: Kyle Playsted, A, Bellarmine

Defensive Player of The Year: Chris Bardark, D, Air Force

Specialist of The Year: Nathan Kapp, FO, Jacksonville

Projected Final Standings

1. Utah Utes

2. Air Force Falsons

3. Jacksonville Dolphins

4. Bellarmine Knights

5. Mercer Bears

6. Robert Morris Colonials

7. Cleveland State Vikings

8. Detroit Mercy Titans

9. Queens Royals

10. Lindenwood Lions