Dec. 9, 2011
All-America Release | Preseason Poll | Coaches' Poll
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State men's lacrosse team earned preseason recognition from Inside Lacrosse as three Nittany Lions garnered Honorable Mention All-America honors and the team secured two top-20 rankings.
Senior attackman Matthew Mackrides (Newtown Square), sophomore goalkeeper Austin Kaut (Morton) and sophomore attackman Shane Sturgis (Downingtown) each collected Honorable Mention All-America recognition.
Penn State's first two-time captain since Dave Daniecki, Greg Jackson and Tolleison Morriss each served in 1996-97, Mackrides is a two-time All-CAA First Team honoree. The attackman has recorded 102 points (71g, 31a) in 39 career games and last year led the team in goals (20) and was tied for first in man-up markers (3).
Kaut enjoyed a sensational rookie campaign that saw the Morton, Pa., native garner USILA Honorable Mention All-America, CAA Rookie of the Year and league first-team and all-rookie team recognition. The goalkeeper, who led the Nittany Lions to a 7-7 record, led the NCAA in save percentage (.635) and saves per game (13.64), and ranked 10th in goals-against average (7.90). Kaut tallied an NCAA-high 25 saves in an 8-7 victory against then-No. 10 Massachusetts on March 19.
A Downingtown, Pa., native, Sturgis started 13-of-14 games as a freshman in 2011 and garnered CAA All-Rookie Team accolades. The attackman led the team in points (34) and assists (16), and ranked second in goals (18), seventh in ground balls (21) and 10th in caused turnovers (4).
In addition, the Nittany Lions garnered two top-20 rankings in the publication's preseason polls. The preseason coaches' poll placed Penn State at No. 19, while the publication ranked the Nittany Lions at No. 20.
Following exhibition matchups against Army (Jan. 28) and Johns Hopkins (Feb. 4), Penn State will commence its 99th season against North Carolina Feb. 11.