(Photo Courtesy of Siena 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 MAAC 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

Siena Saints

Siena fell in the MAAC title game last season, losing 12-7 to Marist. From that squad, the Saints return a pair of top five scorers in Ryan McCarthy (20G/26A) and Pratt Reynolds (35G/1A), as well as faceoff man Dylan Pape (49.4%). Despite losing three-year starter Chris Yanchoris, the Saints still look to have a strong defense with Trevor Marsala, Brian Mack, and Andrew Rooney all returning at close. LSMs Sean Jeffrey and R.J. Ihlfeld only add to the firepower of a D that allowed 11.19 goals per game a year ago.

Manhattan Jaspers

Manhattan will have its third head coach in as many years after John Odierna left the Jaspers to take over as the defensive coordinator at Syracuse. The Jaspers featured the best scoring defense in college lacrosse las spring, allowing 8 goals per game. That unit loses not only Odierna but also its top pole in Christian Clifford, top SSDM Tadhg O’Riordan, and goalie Joseph Persico. Leading scorer Kyle Gucwa (25G/25A) is among the top returners for this Jaspers squad that looks to sustain amongst the top of the MAAC.

Marist Red Foxes

Arguably the most talented team in the MAAC on paper year after year, the Red Foxes are the defending conference champions. JoJo Pirreca, Jamison Embury, James Lyons are among the mainstays now gone on offense while Kyle Stofoko is among those losses on the back end. In many ways it’s a younger core returning for the Red Foxes with attackman Jake Deacy (31G/3A), faceoff man Dylan Bedell (49%), and goalie Noble Smith (107 saves, 46.7%) being among the top returnees. All were sophomores a year ago.

Top Players

Offensive Player of The Year: Kyle Gucwa, A, Manhattan

Defensive Player of The Year: Mitchell Dunham, D, Mount St. Mary’s

Specialist of The Year: Dylan Pape, FO, Siena

Projected Final Standings

1.Siena Saints

2. Marist Red Foxes

3. Manhattan Jaspers

4. Quinnipiac Bobcats

5. Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers

6. LIU Sharks

7. VMI Keydets

8. Sacred Heart Pioneers

9. Canisius Golden Griffins

10. Wagner Seahawks