Widener's men's lacrosse team, which has played in the Middle Atlantic Conference Tournament final five straight years, was picked to finish second in the league based on a vote by the league's coaches.

Widener (10-9, 7-3 MAC) had won four consecutive MAC championships before last season and has captured 11 in its history.  The squad also is 17-3 in the MAC Tournament and has played in the NCAA Tournament seven times.

The Pride get a huge boost from senior defender Nick Politarhos (Ridley, PA), who was picked Honorable Mention Preseason All-America by Inside Lacrosse Magazine a second straight year.  He has been named first team All-MAC each of the last two years.

The 2009 campaign saw Politarhos lead a stingy defense which posted a 7.08 goals against average and yield five goals or fewer in six games.  He was one of four on the team to start all 19 contests, led the squad with 32 caused turnovers and was fourth with 52 ground balls.

Politarhos and junior defender Matt Parrott (Downingtown, PA) each were named to the Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Team.

Sophomore attacker Johnny Casey (Glenside, PA) posted a solid campaign in being named the league's Rookie of the Year.  He ended fourth in the league with 40 goals, fifth with five man-up goals, first on the team with 50 points, tied for third with 10 assists and also totaled six hat tricks.

Senior long-stick midfielder Dave Simcox (Ridley, PA), picked second team all-league in 2007 and last year, is a formidable presence.  He ended tied for second on the team with 57 ground balls and second with 32 caused turnovers in starting all 19 contests.

Senior attacker Cory Malampy (Ridley, PA), tabbed second team all-conference, again produced numbers up front by finishing second on the team with 28 goals, 11 assists and 39 points.  He notched three hat tricks last season, including a four-goal output in Widener's MAC Tournament first-round victory against Eastern.

Senior defender Jim Forsythe (West Chester, PA) also was a key component on defense in being picked second team all-league.  He finished third on the squad with 24 caused turnovers and 11th with 24 ground balls.

Widener opened its season Sunday with a loss to second-ranked Stevenson.  The squad returns to action Saturday against No. 4 Salisbury as part of a doubleheader with the women's team, which battles Immaculata at 3:00 pm at Leslie C. Quick Jr. Stadium.

2010 Middle Atlantic Conference Preseason Poll

1.   FDU-Florham              128 pts. (8)

2.   Widener                    124 pts. (3)

3.   Lycoming                   115 pts. (1)

4.   Elizabethtown             104 pts.

5.   Messiah                     94 pts.

6t.  Manhattanville             72 pts.

6t.  DeSales                     72 pts.

8.   Eastern                      70 pts.

9.   King's                        57 pts.

10.  Misericordia                42 pts.

11.  Lebanon Valley           40 pts.

12.  Alvernia                      28 pts.

(first-place votes in parentheses)