DII Lacrosse Preseason Top 20 for 2026!

Intro

SPEAKER_02 0:27

Welcome, welcome, welcome to another episode of In the Creest with Danny and Kevin, a coast-to-coast discussion of D2 Men's Lacrosse. I'm your co-host, Kevin Stenstrom, and with me as always is the Nostradamus of D2 Lacrosse, Danny Moran.

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The Nostradamus.

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Mr. Omniscient.

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All I know is I know nothing.

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So it's funny. I looked up, obviously I know Nostradamus. I go back like, oh, he's had all these predictions way back when, the things in the future. I actually went back and looked at my top 20. This is our top 20 show, as people know by the title and everything else. I went back to see how well I did last year. And I I I hit 14 out of 20. The top 10 was pretty damn close. At least they're most of the ones I had in the top 10 ended up in the top 10. Right. But I I whiffed on like six. Some of my big ones were like Rockhurst. I had him in my top 10. They didn't even end up in the top 20. I didn't have Anderson, Malloy, or Newberry in the top 20, and look what they did last year.

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Dude, I said Anderson wouldn't be 500.

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So that's why you're no Stradomus and I'm not.

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I'm no Stradomus. I know nothing. So anyway,

Top 20

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it's our top 20. It's our top one. It's one of our best ones, Kev.

unknown 1:51

I'm on top of the world. I'm on top of the world.

SPEAKER_01 1:56

Hello, imagine dragons. We always do the old people's music. So I figured we'd do some of the young kids'. There we go. Top of the world. Who's going to be on top of the world this year, Kev? In the Division II lacrosse men's.

SPEAKER_02 2:12

And don't expect us to get it right. But it's something you it's something for the water cooler, as they say. Yeah. And uh this is always my favorite one. This is my favorite. I love this. I always have trouble doing it, Danny. Usually the top ten, this once again, this top ten, maybe not the sequence, but the the ones that are in there I feel fairly good about. It's when I get to that next 10, and then really as I get down to the bottom, I had, Danny, probably five, I had seven more that I can tell you did not make the top 20 that I at some time during our conference previews, I thought they would be in the top 20.

SPEAKER_01 2:54

Right. And you know what? I've had some teams that weren't in the top 20 in it this year, and some teams that were in the top 20 not in it this year, Kev. So it just goes by, you know, we we did these conference previews, we did our homework. So I'm kind of going along with that.

SPEAKER_02 3:09

Yeah. So where do you want to start? Do you want to start at one or do you want to start at 20?

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Start at the end, work our way to the top, my brother.

SPEAKER_02 3:18

Okay. Okay. Well, let's start with you.

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Who do you have at number 20? At number 20, Kev, representing the CACC, my friend. The Wilmington Wildcats. Ah. They received an at-large bid last year at the national tourney. I believe they have an upper echelon offensive productivity with 16 goals a game last year. They are led by a lethal attack unit by Andrew Zubiak, who was CACC player of the year last year. All-American honorable mention. They're super solid in goal with Daniel Flynn. I like the Wilmington Wildcats at number 20, Kev.

SPEAKER_02 4:03

Good pick. I have them a little bit higher, but that's what that's what happens in this in this top 20. It's tough for me. My number 20 is the Mercy Mavericks. All right. They return on D, a lot of on D, as well as having Cam Dorfman and face-off specialists at Kenny Summit. That keeps them in the top 20, but they lose some key offensive threats that put them lower than where they've been in the years past.

SPEAKER_01 4:37

Yeah, I don't have mercy on my top 20, Kev. They didn't make it this year. I'm not saying they can't make it in. And I'm not saying they're not worthy. They're just not in my top 20 right now.

SPEAKER_02 4:48

I'll tell you. I kept them in because probably more because their mercy and their pedigree. Because there's other ones. Listen, Assumption's not in mind. Montevallo's not in mind. Westminster's not in mind. Roberts Wesleyan, that I said was probably in the top 20. There's so many that that could be in that. And Mercy's the one probably just tipped the scales a little bit by what they have at special teams coming back, I think, was the one that really tipped me to go 20. Excellent choice, my friend. All right. My number 19 is Rollins. All right. They lost some key offensive weapons, but they still have depth there. Their D looks very strong. They have goalkeeper options, especially with Colin Selters of Limestone coming over. Could they be out of the top 20? Yes, but I could not do that same way as Mercy based on their track record. So I have them at 19. Excellent choice. Excellent choice.

SPEAKER_01 5:54

I have representing the NE-10 at 19, Kev, the Assumption Greyhounds. I believe I believe the Greyhounds made great strides in 25 under Coach Bordoon. They're led by face-off specialist Connor Stack, who was third team All-American last year. Another all-American in goal with Shane Corcoran. And their top scorer was only a sophomore, Kev. So I believe that this team, like I said, made great strides, and I like the Greyhounds at number 19.

SPEAKER_02 6:29

I like that. Like I said, I went back and forth about them going in, and you make a very good argument of why they're in there. I can't refute that. Who do you have at 18?

SPEAKER_01 6:41

Okay. Representing the Sunshine State Conference, the Rollins Tars, Kev. We're one off. You know, the injury bug hit them last year in the 25th season, but they came on strong at the end. They do have a great mix of younger and older players with experience. Because of those injuries, those younger players got experience. And I believe with that experience, gives them depth at both sides of the ball, and they're deep at face-off. So at number 18, I like the Rollins Tars.

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Of course I like that one because you and I are close with that one. So I like it a lot. Okay, my number 18 are the Crusaders of Belmont Abbey.

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Wow. Very good choice.

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They return top six scores and they have a solid defense. I think they are poised this year to make a statement, and they could climb higher. Look at they they're finally at the point where their players are more seasoned and experienced than they have been in the past. And so that's what gets them in the top 20. Now, last year I think I had them in the top 20, and they really didn't end up in the top 20. This year, I think they're a solid choice for that in the top 20. That's why I have them at 18. Good choice. Good choice. What do you got at 17? Okay, at 17, that's I've got Wilmington Wildcats. All right. From what you said, you know, they returned their top six scores. You kind of listed all the good reasons. They lose a little on D, including Paul Army, but they bring back a solid core as well as their face-off specialist Connor Whitmer, which I think is key. He was at 66%. So I think Wilmington's very solid in the top 20.

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Excellent choice. For 17, representing the Conference Carolinas, Kev, the Belmont Abbey Crusaders. I have it 17. This team, they went 11-4 last year overall, 6-1 in conference with mostly sophomores on the offensive side of the ball, Kev. They have, if you ask me, an upper echelon defense and an elite attack unit. They have a new offensive coordinator this year, which I think is going to give Belmont Abbey a little bit of a different look for a lot of teams. You're right. At 17, I like the Belmont Abbey Crusaders. I like it. All right. Who do you have at 16? At 16, also representing the Conference Carolinas. I have the North Greenville. No, they're the Trailblazers. Trailblazers. It's going to take me a long time to get that right. The Trailblazers. Last year's Conference Carolinas champ, Kev, they had an underrated and overlooked defense, if you ask me. Cole Jenkins, Nick Shaller, and Dalton Wilkins caused 65 turnovers between the three of them. Offensively, they have a senior-laden attack that will be lethal, that was led by Conference Carolina's player of the year, Mr. Caden Castle. So I like the North Greenville. Trailblazers. Well, you got that right at the end.

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That's funny. I did not have them in my top 20. And they were one that's one of mine that could have been in. You just made almost a better argument. Now I'm rethinking what I should have done. But that's a good pick. I like it. I don't know if I would have them that high, but I can see where they would be. I think this is where you get into the the time frame of this 15 to 20. And ones that didn't make it could be anywhere in that top, the the 11 to 20, right? That's kind of the way it works. So okay. My 16 Newberry. Oh boy. Now could they go higher? Yes. Could they go lower? It depends. I think it depends on their transfer production. Like who did they bring in? Who did they bring in? We don't we as you remember, we didn't have that in their roster on the website. They were very, very good last year. They lost some players, but they kept a very good core, and I think they're going to be poised to definitely be in the top 20. Could they definitely go higher than what I have at 16? Yes, they could. I put them there just because of the unknowns that I had in my mind. Understood. You make a good argument. Okay. Who do you have number 15? 15 from the NE10, the pace setters. Okay. They're pretty strong at offense returning, but they lost a lot on D from my perspective, which is why they dropped to this point at 15. As you know, Danny, they're one of these teams that usually are in the top 10 or very, very close. And they they're in the top 10 and they stay there before they even have any games. And then when they play, right, they show why they're at that level. They usually move up. They usually move up. And I could see where pace would move up. But you saw how they ended last year. I think they're at that same level this year. And so that's why I have them at 15. Excellent. Excellent.

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How about you? At 15, representing the ECC. I have the Malloy Lions, Kev. I think they're well coached and scrappy. They're a high IQ squad. They got a lot of offensive weapons, a top-tier attack unit with Green, Corcoran, Taylor, and Poolis. They have McCabe and LSM Thomas Kofott on defense, who's just like Zorro with a stick in his hand. The guy's amazing. And they're solid at face-off. I mean, they're just a solid squad, top to bottom. A little question in goal right now. That's why I have them back a little bit. But at 15, I like the Malloy Lions.

SPEAKER_02 13:00

That's a good, good pick. I have them higher.

SPEAKER_01 13:04

Okay.

SPEAKER_02 13:06

Higher. Wow. Which could be one of these that I may uh not make. We may see where what happens at the end of the year, but I'll show you why I do it. But yeah, I agree with you. Um I think they're loaded for bear. That's why I have them a little bit higher. Who do you have at 14?

SPEAKER_01 13:23

Representing, excuse me, pardon me. The GLVC, the Lewis Flyers. Here's a team that's physical on defense and deep with talent, Kev. Led by Malachi Good, who had 74 points last year. And yet they got Caden Donahue in goal. They're solid. I just expect to be I expect Lewis to be one of the better teams in the country. So I got Lewis coming in at number 14.

SPEAKER_02 13:52

I like it. I like it. I have them a little bit higher too, and we'll get to that. My number 14 is Colorado Mesa. All right. They lose JJ Brummet, their number one scorer. But other than that, they return everyone, including on the defensive side and special teams. They've got Shaden Shields and goal at 88%, and they return 88% of their defensive unit. So I think now could I put them higher than maybe a Lewis or a Rockhurst? I could. I think usually in the past, and the pass is no indication of the future, the GLVC teams have usually won out against Colorado Mesa. So I put them at 14. Could Colorado Mesa go up? I do. I think they're solid in the top 20, though. Excellent. Excellent points, Cove.

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Who do you have at 13?

SPEAKER_02 14:49

13. This kind of surprised me where they ended up, but I have Seaton Hill at 13. You crazy. You just crazy that one. They need that. They have a new face-off specialist, new starting close D. That is what dropped them out of the top 10 for me. You remember last year, they were loaded for Bear everywhere. And they deserve to be in the top 10. They ended up in the top 10. They deserve to be there. They are always a solid team, but that's why I dropped them out of the top 10 and have them at number 13. How about you?

SPEAKER_01 15:26

Interesting. Interesting take on that, my friend. Yeah. At 13, representing the Armac, I have the Colorado Mesa. Boys from Colorado, the Road Warriors, deep, depth, talent. They win championships there, Kev. They're winners. They're winners. Yeah. They're led offensively by Attack Connor Jensen and Dylan Pless. Again, like you mentioned, goalie Shaden Shields, who's phenomenal. A little question of face-off there, like you said, but you know what? Until somebody can really knock the snot out of them, I think Colorado Mace is one of the better teams in the country. Always going to give a team a game, can come down and wipe the snot off you, or come down and lose by one. You know, they're going to give you a game.

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They're going to give you a game, and they're one of those teams that beat teams you don't expect and sometimes lose one that you don't expect also. But they are really, really, really good. And I expect them to be there this year. Yep, absolutely. Who's your number 12?

SPEAKER_01 16:33

All right, number 12, representing the Peach Belt, the Flagler Saints, Kev. Six out of the seven top scorers return. Attackman, Trace McDonald, and Ben Nyberg led a really good offense, and those guys return. The defense will be led by Ty Secondback, and goal. They have two goalies, Josh Stevens and Wade Lamone, that split time last year. They both come back. They're athletic, they're fast, they're super well coached. They were right on the cusp last year. I think that this year they're gonna start out with maybe people knowing about them now, you know. Flagler's gonna have a little bit of a target on their back. They're not the new guy anymore. There's these guys are players. So I I want to see how they start out, but I think uh I love the Flagler Saints here at number 12. I think them they'll probably move up.

SPEAKER_02 17:32

So I have nothing to say, Danny, because my number 12 is Flagler.

SPEAKER_01 17:37

Oh yeah, because you are quality, my friend.

SPEAKER_02 17:40

The only thing I would add and why they're at 12 and not higher, is they lost a little more on D. And there's some unknowns on who's gonna do that from transfers other than on how the who's gonna step up. But you're right, I agree with you. They can move up beyond 12 easily.

SPEAKER_01 17:57

Yeah, yep. I think they're they're a fast athletic team. If you see what Brian Duncan's done with these guys in four or five years, I mean he's just getting better recruits. It's not a hard sell to come to St. Augustine. He's gonna he's gonna be a uh team. Yes, agree. He's gonna be one of the top teams from now on.

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Okay. You want to know my number 11?

SPEAKER_01 18:21

Sure.

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St. Leo. Wow. Can you say loaded?

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Yeah.

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They are loaded. The only reason they are not in my top ten is that they have not been there in a few years. And that I think does make a difference sometimes. Could they get up in the top 10? Hell yes, they could. I think they're that talented. They've got that much experience across the whole field.

SPEAKER_01 18:53

I agree. I agree. That's my number 11. You make an excellent argument, Mr. Stenstrom.

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Who do you have at 11?

SPEAKER_01 19:02

At number 11, I have Coach Mariana, the NE10, and the pace setters. Oh, there you go. Solid squad, top to bottom, well coached, high IQ squad, year in and year out, Kev. No matter where they are, they're always one of the better teams out there. Uh, they're gonna be led by senior attackmen, uh, Declan Landers and Will Donowski. They're they're solid and special teams in goalie with Jack Kern. Coach is a great recruiter, a great coach. I think they're gonna be right there in the mix uh again. And uh at number 11, I like the pace setters.

SPEAKER_02 19:39

It's a good choice. It's a good choice. I look I had it in a different spot, but like you said, I think you make a good argument there. All right, who do you have at 10? All right. As we move into the top 10, here we go.

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Here we go to the top 10. At number 10, representing the SAC. I have the Newberry Wolves, Kev. Okay. Um, I think they're solid and special teams, a young yet formidable attack unit. Their defense is tough and athletic with those limestone transfers. Heard they looked very good in the fall. I think Coach Utter has been putting in the ingredients in for the last couple of years, and he's got he's got the guys. It's just about execution now. So at number 10, I like the Newberry Wolves. I like it.

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You saw where I had him. Yep. My number 10 is close to where it's just a flip of where you had them. Same thing. I I have Lewis as number 10.

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Okay.

SPEAKER_02 20:42

And you had Lewis back around 15 or 16, right?

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I had Lewis at 14.

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Okay. So look at I had I had Newberry at 16, you have them at 10, I have Lewis at 10, you had them at 14. Very, very close. Their attack returns. They also added Limestone's Carta Kaczynski to MIDI. They have good midis, but have not really worked together yet. They've got some that are coming from limestone. I think they're going to be really solid. They lose face-off specialists, Don Torello, but they've got all the space-off specialists that have been proven and are above the 50%. So I think they are going to be right there. That's why I have them in my top 10.

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Kaczynski's going to be a handful in that conference. Yeah. I mean, he's got SAC, you know, uh notches in his belt with limestone, and he was good at limestone. I mean, yeah. He was one of those players that just kept looking, go, damn, that kid is good, man. Don't take your eyes off him. Don't take a defender off him. You know, they had Zach Terry and had McGarry and that's the first time. That's the problem, right? And that now he's going to be doing that for Lewis because they've got a bunch of options. Yeah, he's going to be really good for Lewis. So I think that's a great, that's a great number 10, Kev. Okay, my number nine.

SPEAKER_02 22:00

Is Rockhurst out of the GLVC? Wow. That's a big one, dude. I did this with them last year. I got burned. So come on, Coach Kelly. I'm believing you. I believe in your team, man. Come on. They're loaded in all areas. Except for close D. They have a few replacements there for starters. I wanted actually to put them ahead of all that my GLVC teams that I have in this, but I didn't because of last year. But I just think on paper they look like they can be a top 10 team. And now they just have to prove it on the field.

SPEAKER_01 22:41

It's interesting because I don't have them in my top 20.

SPEAKER_02 22:44

Yeah. I didn't think you did because I hadn't heard him yet, and I figured you would have already had him.

SPEAKER_01 22:48

That's interesting. That's very interesting. At number nine, Kev, also representing the GLVC, the Maryville Saints. I think this is a team that every year is just really, really good. They had a strong and stout defense last year that only led up like nine goals per game. They're super solid from top to bottom. You know, they have Fogo Shea Rayburn, who is an All-American honorable mention. They got Short Stick Middy John Charlton, who led that defense last year. And with Simonson, Tobias, and Zemey, I don't know. They're going to be a tough out. I agree. I agree. He does a good job of coaching, man. He was the D2 coach of the year last year, and he does a very good job there. So I like the Saints of Maryville at number nine.

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I like it. I like it. You'll see where I've got him. How about number eight there, Mr. Moran?

SPEAKER_01 23:46

This is probably going to blow a lot of people's minds right here. I got the St. Leo Lions representing the Sunshine State Conference at number eight, Kev. The return of Greg Palmer and John Rauchy, along with that seasoned veteran offense, Mr. No Jin. No Jin. We got it right. Mr. Nealin, my man, Thomas Nealin. There we go. You know, LeBlanc, along with Ben Baker, a defense wouldn't Wills, in my estimation, one of the better defensers in the country. And James Davies and Jimmy McDon McGonagall. They're solid at special teams, and they are lethal on man up, Kev. So at number eight, I got the Lions of St. Leo.

SPEAKER_02 24:34

I cannot refute you on that pick. Like I said, I didn't have them in the top ten, but they are loaded, and they could easily be up there. And I could have had them up there. I just didn't. And one of the reasons is where I put my number eight, which is Malloy. And there you go. Malloy Lions. They're loaded too, just like St. Leo. Only question probably is goalkeeper. But like Coach Dunn said, they've got a guy that's been waiting in the rings, wings, he's ready to go. I could have even had them a little bit higher. You'll see who my number seven pick is. They could have been in that slot. I I just couldn't put my number seven. I couldn't switch them for obvious reasons when I get there. Okay. All right. Because my number seven, I guess I'm up for this. It's my turn, right?

SPEAKER_01 25:29

Yes, yes, yes.

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Is Lenore Ryan.

SPEAKER_01 25:32

Oh, wow.

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No real weakness except goalkeeper position. No they, you know, the need the defense needs to step up a little bit more, I think, than they have in the past. They don't have the players when they had like the Powells and the Masseys of that close D, but they're returning their defense. And I think they are look at Coach Perrin always knows how to coach this team. He had a team that was practically brand new.

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Yeah.

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And they went 14 and 4 last year. Yep. I think that's why I had to put Lenore Ryan at seven and Malloy at eight. Wow. Interesting.

SPEAKER_01 26:16

At number seven, I have Lenore Ryan Bears, Kev. We both have them at number seven. I think they have a lethal offense and a beast at the dot with Matt Mancini. Donnie Powell, kids ridiculous out there with the ball. You got Robert Walker and Jared Huff and Brushing Hannon and Morgan Mattish. They are stacked on the offensive side. Yeah. They got some pretty good defenders too, and Parks Painter and Deacon Medwick on defense, like you said. Little questioning goal. They had a scrimmage yesterday the other day up in High Point. I heard they started the freshman goalie, Long Island kid from Northport High School. And I think the uh graduate student, red shirt graduate, Mr. Conlin got the second half. I don't know. I didn't get any more reports on that, but I heard so they're still looking, I think, for that for that opening day. Goalie. So that's why I have them a little bit back. They should be higher usually in my in my top ten.

SPEAKER_02 27:22

But like we talked about it in the conference preview last week for the sack. Who knows what's going to happen?

SPEAKER_01 27:28

They're going to be tough. Are you kidding me? You're not going to LR's gonna come in and kick your ass. You know what I mean? They are good. Strong, fast, super well coached, stacked on offense. Again, little, little question in goal. And it looks like they're gonna try to straighten that out. I agree. Who's your number six? My number six also representing the SAC. The Anderson Trojans. I have them uh at lethal, lethal attack unit. Excellent at face-off with Russia and Dixon. Oh, their offense is tough too. Bitterman, Cole Sparks, Raiden Badron, Matty Rogers. Uh, just tough, solid on D, ending goal with Aiden Laughlin. You know, this is a team that went to the SAC championship last year, caught a lot of teams off guard and beat the snot out of them. Pretty much everybody returns, Kev. Yep. Yep. That's a good choice.

SPEAKER_02 28:27

That's a very good choice.

SPEAKER_01 28:29

They're gonna be tough. They're gonna be tough, the Anderson Trojans this year.

SPEAKER_02 28:32

I definitely see them in the top ten.

SPEAKER_01 28:34

Yeah, 100%.

SPEAKER_02 28:37

My number six, though, is Merriaville. You had them at nine, right?

SPEAKER_01 28:42

I had them at nine.

SPEAKER_02 28:43

Yeah, I have them at six. They bring back a lot of firepower. D is very solid. The only question I have is goalie Evan Alfano replacing Dylan Radke. Now he's been in the wings. I think he's gonna be ready. I definitely think they're a top ten team. Are they six or nine? We'll see. I just had him, just of what they've done, look what they did last year.

SPEAKER_01 29:11

Defense was great last year.

SPEAKER_02 29:13

Going all the way to the final four.

SPEAKER_01 29:16

I guess, you know, like we always talk about offenses, you know. We all, you know, because that's the most exciting thing to look at. You know, oh, they do this, they got this guy, they got that guy. But meanwhile, their defense just shutting people down. Right. Maryville only gave up nine goals a game last year. Like you had to earn your goals against Maryville. Once they got the ball, man, they good luck getting it back. Exactly.

SPEAKER_02 29:41

They're really good team at I expect them to be pretty good, man. Yeah. All right, here's my number five, Danny. It's the Wingate Bulldogs. Ah, you're a smart man, Kevin. You're a smart man. They we talked about this, or I talked about this in the conference preview last week. They may have the best offense in both attack and mini lines coming back in D2. To me, their defense is a little bit of the question mark. That is why I actually put them below Anderson. You'll see where I've got them. Okay. And last year is not an indicator, but you'll see where where I have uh put I couldn't put them ahead of Tampa either. Tampa's in my top four, and I had to put Wingate. It was one of these, it's one of these, Danny. When we talked about this before. Every year, it's like the top five, six, seven, like there's a few that can go up and down, right? And I had Wingate solid at five.

SPEAKER_01 30:41

Yeah, makes total sense. Because you know why? Because I had Wingate at number five.

SPEAKER_02 30:47

Well, you're a smart, you are no Stradamus.

SPEAKER_01 30:52

Good one, Kev. I like it. I like it. Yeah, you know, the Wingate Bulldogs, lethal attack and midfield unit. Uh, added depth at Fogo now is gonna help them. Man, Joey Moran, Kyle Spence, uh uh Sean Clark on offense, three All-Americans right there. Sean, Joey Moran is like Steph, Steph Curry of Division II. He can shoot from anywhere, either hand, doesn't matter. He can, he's tough, man. And then you got just, you know, uh solid in goal in Quad Williams. Solid in goal. Again, added depth and photo. Uh question a little bit on who's going to be that starting close. They lost a couple of guys. Yeah. But you know, Coach Boyle's teams are always very deep, and I think that defense is going to figure it's it figure it out.

SPEAKER_02 31:46

I think that's probably you're right. Figuring it out is like to me, it's not if, it's when. Right. Like they'll figure it out. Exactly.

SPEAKER_01 31:55

So so at number five, I like the Bulldogs of Wingate University.

SPEAKER_02 32:01

I like it.

SPEAKER_01 32:02

All right. Who's your number four? My number four, the Tampa Spartans representing the Sunshine State Conference. Kev, uh they lost a lot last year, but you know, Coach Clark, he's just a reloader. Um, they're strong defensively last year, which is uh, you know, we always think of Tampa as that 17, 18, 19 goal a game team. Last year they weren't that team, right? Like a 13 goal a game. Yeah. But they had a great face-off in Mikey Flores and just a super stout defense. And that guy, Gordy Gumbold on DKF, dude, he's a beast. He's one of the better defenders in the country. He locks down motherfuckers. I'm telling you, he's a locked down defender. Conley Stone, the same thing. And they're deep on offense. You know, Jackson Bashaw's coming back. Tommy Ortega's coming back. Guys have been with JB for a couple of years know the system. So Tampa, they're gonna be Tampa. They're gonna be tough to beat. Um, can't wait to see them play. So at number four, I got the Spartans of Tampa.

SPEAKER_02 33:14

I love that choice, Danny. I love it. My number four is Tampa.

SPEAKER_01 33:19

Oh, you're the man because you're smart.

SPEAKER_02 33:25

You you said it exactly right. They did lose a little, they lost some key short stick D middies, they lost Mikey Flores at the dot. The thing I keep on going back to is I could I have them lower? Probably. But until proven otherwise, I can't. Exactly. I mean, last year I had them at eight, and they ended up number two in the country. So I can't go against that. They are always ready. Yeah. So number four is a good pick.

SPEAKER_01 33:57

Coach Club just, you know, he knows how to get these teams going. They're just good, man. They're just well coached and good assistance and just good recruiting, and just it's got the whole package there. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 34:09

I agree. I agree. All right. My number three, we're in the the final stretch here, Danny. Yes, we are. Anderson. Wow.

SPEAKER_01 34:22

All right.

SPEAKER_02 34:24

You said it. You they took a big step last year. You mentioned this. And really, for them, their big step had to be beating uh got teams like Wingate. They did Wingate, Lenore Ryan, and Newberry. Their face-off special returns with a 61% save or face-off rate, all their shooters return, and there's no real gap in defense. That's the only reason I had them a little bit higher than Wingate. And I have at number three. Could Tampa be at three and Anderson at four? Yeah, but Anderson didn't lose any. So on paper, I got to say, look what they did last year. They got everyone coming back. They're my number three.

SPEAKER_01 35:05

Makes complete sense. And I have no argument with that. I can totally understand you have them that high.

SPEAKER_02 35:12

I can't wait to hear your number three. Because I think we're down there somewhere that you and I are not in sync here. Yep.

SPEAKER_01 35:18

I have representing the GMAC, the Seton Hill Griffiths at three. Oh. Another deep and stacked team, well coached. The Sheriff, Brunel, Herbster, Carter Green on offense, 160 points between those three guys, Kev. They are a lethal little unit upon themselves. Brunel is sick. Herbster is sick. Carter Green is sick. They got Will Cody in goal. Just a solid, solid goalie. And then Color Green. Cullen Green's going to lead that defense. So I love what they do up at St. A. I mean Seton Hill. And again, I got them at number three, the Seton Hill Griffiths.

SPEAKER_02 36:10

That's a good pick. I did not, as you know, I didn't have them that high. I think it's going to be interesting to see. They easily could move in my in my ranking, right? They easily can move up in the top ten. They are a solid choice, I think, just from their pedigree to be in that top ten. Well, it's I think this is going to be the real interesting one for you to watch between you and me where Seton Hill ends up, right? Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 36:41

Hey, you know, they always wind up up there, man. They're they're just good, man. You know what I mean? Avante does a killer job.

SPEAKER_02 36:49

Yeah, no, he he does. And I think I think they're gonna be up there this year. He's gonna be Vine, he's gonna be in the NCAA tournament and see what they can do. That's the way I look at it.

SPEAKER_01 36:59

Yeah, I just you just can't ever count a Seton Hill Griffith team. That's the type of team like no matter what conference you put them in, they'd be great. Yeah. You know what I mean? They'd be a top team in that conference. You know, so that's how good they are. All right, who do you have at number two? At number two, I have the St. Anslum's Hawks out of the N-10, Kev. They were the only team to beat the champions last year, and they have the team to do it. They have the squad. They have given Adelphi, who's been a two-time national champ, everything. I they don't want to play. Adelphi don't want to play St. A's because St. A's knows how to play Adelphi. It's a game when those guys play. Yeah. Uh Quinn Gannon at the dot, Finn Grenara in goal, Matt LeMay, Chris Cloughlin on offense. They're deep at LSM with Eddie O'Brien, Jay Koplecki, and Tyler Vigen on defense. I just think they're loaded for Bear and the St. A's Hawks. I got them at number two.

SPEAKER_02 38:09

I got nothing to say, Danny. St. Ansome, number two.

SPEAKER_01 38:13

You're a smart man, Kevin.

SPEAKER_02 38:17

Now, our number one. Hmm. You haven't said a name. I haven't said a name. I think we got the same number one. I think we do. A Delphi.

SPEAKER_01 38:34

The Panthers! The two time. Defending national champs out of the N-10. Kev. Whew. This team is stacked again, my man. Outstanding on both sides of the ball. Offensively, McDermott, Lewis, Dunellen, Dernan. Are you kidding me?

SPEAKER_00 38:58

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 38:59

Pick your freaking poison. Defensively, Delessandro, Reese Bauer, Carter Linkletter.

SPEAKER_00 39:06

That's just so scary.

SPEAKER_01 39:08

Are you effing kidding me? Are you effing kidding me? They're going to be tough, man. They are going to be tough. They have Will Greaves at faceoff, who did phenomenal for them last year as a freshman. Their only question, my only question is in goal. They have two goalies, I think they're going to go.

SPEAKER_02 39:25

Exactly what I've got.

SPEAKER_01 39:26

Yeah. A Boston U guy and the kid from Belmont Abbey, correct? Yes. So we'll see. We'll see who a Delphi gets, who gets the start there. But they're the champs, Kevin. Like, you know, like Muhammad Ali. Until you can knock them out, they're the champs.

SPEAKER_02 39:46

We said the same thing last year. We were right. They ended up as a champs again. Dylan Renner gone. I can't see another goalie coming in that's going to be as dominant as Dylan Renner. I'm not sure they always need that to be at number one. If they've got a guy that's really, really, really good still, because they could. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 40:08

Well, like they got a great defense. So I'm Yeah. The defense is going to set up the goalie. Goalie might not have to do too much. The ball may not get to him. But you know what? Those two guys, they go down, they go down and face um L uh LR and Wingate. Two really good offenses with two great face-off squads. It might dude, I want to see both of those games.

SPEAKER_02 40:35

Yeah, I will tell you, those are going to be great games. And let's look we talked about the sack, and regular season performance is not going to be an indicator what ends up. If Adelpha goes down and loses, let's just say they do. They lose let's say they lose both those games. That's not an indicator what's going to happen with them at the end of the year either. That doesn't hurt. Because those three teams are all in our top ten and all very close. And so who knows what's going to happen when they they meet in regular season and what happens after that. This so you're right. I I think I think that's smart for a Delphi to do. Because guess what? They may be meeting one of those teams in the Natty, the final.

SPEAKER_01 41:24

It's very possible. Very possible. So that's our top 20. One, I got a Delphi, two, St. A's, three, Seton Hill, four Tampa, five Wingate. You and I are together on a lot. Six, I have Anderson. Number seven, I have LR. Number eight, I have the St. Leo Lions. Number nine, the Maryville Saints. Number ten, the Newberry Wolves. At 11, I have the Pace Setters. At 12, I have Flaggler. At 13, I have Colorado Mesa. At 14, I have the Lewis Flyers. At 15, I have the Malloy Lions, which I think that could get probably go up. 16, I have the North Greenville Trailblazers. And number 17, I have Belmont Abbey. I think they're going to be tough this year. I'm very, very interested to see what Belmont Abbey does offensively. Rollins at 18. And Wilmington at 20. Go over your top two.

SPEAKER_02 42:24

Great picks there. Great picks. Okay. Starting from number one, I've got a Delphi. Number two, I've got St. Anselm. Number three, Anderson. Number four, Tampa. Number five, I've got Wingate. Followed up by number six, Meryville. Number seven, Lenore Ryan. And at eight, I've got Malloy, followed by number nine, Rockhurst, my Dark Horse, and number 10, Lewis. And going into the final stretch, number 11, I've got the St. Leo Lions, followed by number 12, Flagler. And then number 13, Seaton Hill. I've got Colorado Mesa at 14, Pace at 15. Number 16, I've got Newberry, followed by Wilmington at 17. Then I've got Belmont Abbey at 18. 19 is Rollins. And closing it out for me is Mercy at number 20. Excellent choices, Kev.

SPEAKER_01 43:17

Excellent choices. Our top 20 for 2026.

SPEAKER_02 43:22

I love it.

SPEAKER_01 43:23

I love it. It's in the book.

SPEAKER_02 43:24

See what the fans, our listeners, think about those.

SPEAKER_01 43:27

I tell you, man, I think they'd have to kind of agree with us. We're pretty, I think we're right on top of it. What do you think?

SPEAKER_02 43:34

I think we it's always tough every year. There's gonna be people that don't totally agree with us. I think we're we're pretty solid. Like I said, I've got several that should be could be in there that I didn't go over then. And some of those we talked about. You had some, I didn't have some. So I think that'll be really interesting.

SPEAKER_01 43:48

Like Mercy and whatnot.

SPEAKER_02 43:50

Yeah. Yeah. Assumption like you had, and I didn't have them in there, and I think they could be in there.

SPEAKER_01 43:54

So it's gonna be a good year, man. It's gonna be great. It's gonna be a good year. I mean it's gonna be great. I'm fired up to the teams. There's like eight or nine elite teams, I think. Elite. When I say elite, they got all the ingredients. You know what I mean?

SPEAKER_02 44:07

I've got Command Central ready to go. Watching several games at one time.

SPEAKER_01 44:12

We need we need Inside Lacrosse to give us the calendar.

SPEAKER_02 44:15

I know.

SPEAKER_01 44:16

What's up with that? IL. We gotta what do you got? A subscribe now?

SPEAKER_02 44:20

That's

Players to wagtch in 2026

SPEAKER_02 44:21

what I'm afraid of. All right. We've got one more section. We've done this for the last few years. We've done players to watch in 2026.

SPEAKER_01 44:29

Yes.

SPEAKER_02 44:29

I've got several. I know you do too. I'm going to try to go through some of them quickly. Where do you want to start off? You want me to start it off?

SPEAKER_01 44:36

Oh, you can start off, Kev. You've been on a roll tonight.

SPEAKER_02 44:40

As we we don't try to look, there probably are some obvious ones. I usually every year do not pick ones I picked the year before. I like to give some other love because there's so many you can choose from, Danny. It's ridiculous. And so I'm trying to look for some that this year I try to look for some that uh they they fit a few different categories. I'm gonna start off with a few seniors. I'll do two and I'll let you do a few. We'll see where we go from there, okay?

SPEAKER_01 45:04

You go I have nine players altogether.

SPEAKER_02 45:07

Okay, I've got a little bit more than that. Maybe I'll I'll I'll run through them quick, okay? Okay. So my I start off with senior MIDI James Sternberg of Walsh. Last year, 45 goals, 44 assists. Walsh is is moving up in the ranks. Now with James as a senior, I think you need to look, I think we need to watch this player this year. Yeah. 45 goals is nothing to sneeze at as this year. No. Now here's my other one. This is a Lee's McRae player, senior attack, Cole Morris. He had 46 goals last year, only 13 assists. He was their he was their shooter, great player. I want to see what he does with these other weapons that are around him now. He may actually have less in the stat category, but I guarantee he's going to be someone that is still going to be used, and I'm really interested to see how he meshes with the other players coming at least McRae.

SPEAKER_01 46:06

You know, you're a very smart man this evening, Kev. You were really showing your smarts because I had Cole Morris as myself. Cole Morris or Cole Sparks, did you say? I said Morris. I have Cole Morris, too. Who else do you have? The Attack Man. Yeah. You know where he's from, Kev? Where's he from? This one I know I'm gonna butcher. Akatox, Alberta, Canada, O K-O, T-O-K-S. Akatox? A cotox?

SPEAKER_02 46:40

You may have to have an Alberta City name game. Like we did in the case.

SPEAKER_01 46:45

We need somebody to come in and tell us how to how to pronounce that. But Cole's from Akatox, Alberta, Canada, led all sophomores last year in goals and was third in the entire country. Colmar has had himself a year.

SPEAKER_00 47:00

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 47:02

Yeah. Who else do you have? Oh, well, on sophomores, if we're gonna stay with sophomores, I had uh Tyler Byrd, Kev, the defenseman from Davenport. Oh. I like it. You know where he's from? Where is he from? Caledonia, Michigan. He was 12th in the country and caused turnovers at 2.2 per game. He had 33 as a sophomore. Pretty tough little player. Tyler Byrd from Davenport.

SPEAKER_02 47:35

So is he so he's a junior this year?

SPEAKER_01 47:37

He will be a junior this year this year.

SPEAKER_02 47:39

Gotcha. I'm with you now.

SPEAKER_01 47:41

These were like super softs last year. They're all gonna be juniors.

SPEAKER_02 47:44

I like it. All right. Let me. I'm gonna go actually to what I'm calling my freshman sensations. Because I want to see what they can do in their sophomore year. I'll run through them quickly, Danny, okay? Okay. Sophomore defender Owen Conway from Kataba.

SPEAKER_01 48:03

Excellent choice.

SPEAKER_02 48:04

43 ground balls, 25 cost turnovers as a freshman. Like, what can he do? What is he going to do this year? That's phenomenal as a freshman coming in. Now, a little more season with his team. That's outstanding for a freshman. So my next sophomore, who was a freshman, is Mitty Noah Hartle from Rockhurst. He was freshman of the year in the GLVC last year. 19 goals, 15 assists. Doesn't sound like a lot, but let's see what you know. You know what I like about Rockhurst. I'm really excited to see what he how he progresses this year. What can he do as a freshman of the year in the GLVC, which is no small award, and see what he can do. My next one. Sophomore MIDI, Andrew Rogers from Northwood. 34 goals, 25 assists as a freshman last year. One of the leaders in a very young squad, their first season last year. What does he do and what does this offense do this year? And my last one, Danny, is sophomore short stick D Middy, Andrew Kessinger from Young Harris. 43 ground balls, 18 cost turnovers, four goals. This guy is a transition player. And I'm excited to see what he does in his sophomore year.

SPEAKER_01 49:26

That's phenomenal, Kev. I still have a couple of sophomores here that are juniors this year. I know we talked about him, but this kid was only he was so good last year. Goalie from Colorado Mesa, Shaden Shields. Oh, that's a good one. You know where he's from? You know where he's from? He's from Naples, Florida, Kev. He was ninth in the country in save percentage at 68%. He's just outstanding. Another uh sophomore that's a junior this year. The attackman from Deuville, O'Brien Tall Chief. Love that name.

SPEAKER_02 50:03

So I had him too, my friend. I had him on my list. I actually asked his coach, how do you say his first name? It's Aubrey.

SPEAKER_01 50:15

Aubrey.

SPEAKER_02 50:16

Aubrey Tall Chief. I had him on my list too. Exact same reasons. I love that pick.

SPEAKER_01 50:23

He's a junior from Angola, New York. He was fifth in the country among sophomores and assists. Aubrey, tall chief, attack from Diouville. Last year, a freshman who's now a sophomore, defenseman out of Malloy, Aiden Dinnegan. Yeah. The Oakdale New York native led all freshmen and cause turnovers and was 17th in the country with 42 calls turnovers. Coach Dunn's got to be happy with that young man coming around for a couple more years. Also, Fogo, Vinny Rosario from St. Thomas Aquinas, the Vortees New Jersey native, Kev, led all freshmen and was eighth overall in the country for oh, I'm sorry, was twelfth in the country in face-off winning percentage at 64%. Outstanding. Another young player last year who was just insane. I'm sorry. I messed up. Vinny Rosario's from Ridge, New York. I'm I messed up. Jake Feeney, the attack from Holy Family. He's from Voorhees, New Jersey. He was eighth all over uh overall in the country for points with 82 points. So, I mean, as a freshman, that's awesome.

SPEAKER_02 51:53

That's that's some really good picks.

SPEAKER_01 51:55

Um, what do you got? You got any more?

SPEAKER_02 51:57

Yeah, so I got several. I've got so let's continue with my transition game. Love guys who can do transition. We talked about Anderson Kessinger. Junior this year out of Emmy Riddle, short stick D mini, Luke Barber. Last year, 35 ground balls, eight cost turnovers, seven goals, one assist.

SPEAKER_01 52:18

That's a season.

SPEAKER_02 52:20

Yeah. Can't wait to see what he does this year. I'll add in some of my face-off specialist that I that I like. One senior face-off specialist, Isaac Morero from Roberts Wesleyan. He was at 67%. I just think he's gonna be a key cog for them this year. They were one of those teams that I could have had in my top 20. They they were out. I think he's one of the keys to talk about. Now I've got I've got just a couple more, but this is the one that I find really interesting, and I'll let you do a few more. Here I've got this is a kind of a special category, and it's all of Wheeling's close D and LSM. When I talk to their coach, I want to know if they're gonna bring out all their six foot four guys and above out this year. So Owen Worley at 6'4, 205, Gage Kimmel at 6'5, Hayden Evans, who's a freshman at 6'5, and an LSM Lincoln, Riley Lincoln as a freshman, 6'5. I want to see that lineup. That's what I want to see.

SPEAKER_01 53:25

Wow, that's huge. Oh my god. That's crazy. All right. You have any others? I have two more left, Kev. Uh one as a goalie. Shane Corcoran, goalie for Assumption. This kid is ridiculous, Kev. He's really, really good. He led the country in safe percentage as a true freshman, and he was second in the country, second overall in the country. Shane Corcoran is a beast in goal, and assumption's got him. Yeah. And last but not least, this kid just, when I first saw him, I said, wow, this kid is good. And then every time I watched him, he just got better and better and better and better. And he was a true freshman last year. He's a sophomore this year. Uh, and that's Matt LeMay, uh, the attackman from St. A's, all region, NE10, co-rookie of the year, first team mall conference. He had 41 goals, 55 points as a true freshman. So those are my players to watch this year.

SPEAKER_02 54:27

I love it. I love those picks. I like the last one especially. I actually like all of them. I like all your picks. We're good. I've got one more, and that's junior defender Patrick Niarko of UDC.

SPEAKER_01 54:38

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 54:39

46 ground balls, 26 cause turnovers. I got to show him some love. I mean, this is a team that deserves they've got some players. When you're when you lose all those and you got a defender that can do that, now obviously he is gonna have to step up again this year to help them out, but I gotta show him some love. He's a very good player, and I'm excited to watch him again this year.

SPEAKER_01 55:01

Playing some quality lacrosse for coach.

SPEAKER_02 55:04

Exactly. Those are good picks. I'm sure we've missed a lot. Like I told you, there's a ton out there as I was going through it. We don't we could spend all day with guys you want to watch. I think that's a great list on both sides to start with.

SPEAKER_01 55:16

Yeah. And the top 20 was good tonight, Kev. Excellent.

SPEAKER_02 55:20

Yeah, yeah.

Shout outs

SPEAKER_02 55:21

Now, shout-outs. I've got two. Do you have any? I have one. Okay, let me do one, then you do one. Okay. And then I'll finish up with the last one. Okay. Sound good? My first shout out goes to the new coaches at American International College, AIC. Coach Keith Campbell as the new head coach with Busy Adam as associate, not assistant, but lacrosse coach. So that's really interesting that they picked two coaches that have huge high school pedigrees. Let me tell you, they have 80 combined years of experience. Coach Campbell was the head coach of my high school alma mater. Wow. Long Meadow High School. He was there from 2015 to 2025. 10 consecutive Western Mass first place finishes, been to five MIA championships. That's a Massachusetts Interclass Interscholastic Athletic Association. They won two. They were the state champs in 22 and 24. His associate coach, Busy Adams, has been the head coach at Newton North High School the past 32 years. Look at these credentials. 15 Bay State Conference Championships, five Eastern Mass Championships, three MIAA championships. These two have all of Massachusetts covered if you look at it from a recruiting standpoint. Here's what I found really interesting in their press release. Their AD said that with these hires, they are setting a new bar for AIC lacrosse. They initiate a complete these two guys are going to come in and initiate what he said a complete cultural evolution, and the transformation starts today. I find these picks, these hires, really interesting. All high school for the past 80 combined years. They do club. They do club, but it's not a head coach hiring a young assistant. These are two guys that are seasoned. And I'm really excited to see what they do at AIC.

SPEAKER_01 57:35

Yeah, well, now they're in a different boat now. It's not high school now. Now they got recruiting, there's scholarships, there's protocols. Whole new world for these coaches. It's not high school anymore. As far as recruiting is concerned, sounds like they got the inn from the upper New England, you know, that New England area. Sounds like they got the inn. They are in club ball up there. So they're seeing kids go through tournaments up there with their clubs. So they got to get on the uh recruiting trail fast and furious because AIC needs players. Yeah, I agree. I agree. I'm happy for them. Congratulations for those guys. See what, see what they can do with AIC. It's gonna take a little bit, Coach.

SPEAKER_02 58:17

It is, it is.

SPEAKER_01 58:18

We'd love to get them on this program.

SPEAKER_02 58:19

I think so. All right, what's your shout out?

SPEAKER_01 58:22

Oh, well, this week we dropped our SAC and uh we mispronounced the name again, Kev. And it's my fault. Uh I kept saying Mason McGovern, the defenseman from Wingate. It's not McGovern, it's McGivern. And I should have known that since he's my son's roommate. So I'm a I'm a total knucklehead, and I apologize to Mason and the McGivern family, but it seems like uh Coach Boyle was calling Mason McGovern all day at practice.

SPEAKER_02 58:56

Why are you calling me McGovern? Listen to the podcast on the two knuckleheads. Look, it we have told people, we we that just is proof in the pudding again that we cannot pronounce names on this podcast.

SPEAKER_01 59:11

And the coaches are listening, so that's so sorry, Mason. Sorry, Mr. and Mrs. McGivern. It's McGivern, not McGovern. And me being an Irishman, I should go back all the way. It just came out, just come out.

SPEAKER_02 59:25

You were you were passionate. You were you were full of passion as we were talking about the SAC. That's right. Those things happen. You couldn't be more correct. Okay, my last shout out. It seems like we do this almost every episode. I've got to do it again, and that's to our listeners and our fans and our growing reach. I put this out on Instagram. It just came through. Every year, Buzz Sprout does this. What did your podcast look out in the past year? You know, a retrospect. For 2025, Danny, we reached 100 countries and 4,834 different cities.

SPEAKER_01 1:00:06

That's amazing to me. Amazing to me. I'm telling you, I'm so freaking humbled by that. I just can't wrap my head around that. I just can't. I just can't wrap my head around that.

SPEAKER_02 1:00:23

I can't either. It's when we started this thing, we've said this before, we were surprised that we had 30 listeners that first week. And look where it's gone to. I hope it continues to grow. I hope our listeners continue to share the word. Go to make sure you go to our podcast, our website, www.inhecreese lacrossepod.com. Share that with own. You can get all our podcasts on there. You can get it on Buzzsprout. You can get it on all your best platforms. Listen, subscribe, share, leave us comments. We got a comment on our through our website this past week from a listener whose grandson is playing at Lenore Ryan. Thought our SAC conference preview was really good. He says he's going to be listening to it all the time. That's what we love hearing. That's what we love to see growing. And look what it's done. I can't believe it.

SPEAKER_01 1:01:18

That's awesome, Kev. I'm so grateful for the listeners. You know what? People DM me all the time. And you know what? I got to shout out Jill Keesey, too. The former limestone mom. She DMs me all the time. So shout out to you, Jill. She listens on her quote long ass commute to work every day. And if you're from New York, you know what those long ass commutes can be like. So shout out to Jill for listening. Love you, girl.

SPEAKER_02 1:01:49

I love it. And with that, Danny, that's our top 20. That's our players to watch. Those are our shout-outs.

SPEAKER_01 1:02:00

That's our top 20, go. Love it.

SPEAKER_02 1:02:23

It's a rat. That's a rat.