INDIANAPOLIS (Feb. 19) – The Wheeling University men's lacrosse team was picked to finish sixth in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches Poll Presented by Under Armor revealed on Friday afternoon.
 
Perennial powers Mercyhurst and Seton Hill sat atop the poll. The two are also ranked third and fourth, respectively, in the most recent United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Division II Top-25 poll.
 
Lake Erie, Walsh and Davis & Elkins rounded out the top-five in the poll, while Alderson Broaddus slotted seventh.
 
Wheeling will be making its return to the field in 2021 after not fielding a team in 2020 due to low participation numbers. Head Coach Nick Anagnostis was hired in November 2019 and spent a year recruiting and rebuilding the program. He will make his NCAA-debut after spending three seasons as the head coach for the University of Missouri Men's Lacrosse club team.
 
The Cardinals will be a young team in 2021, but a pair of transfers with NCAA lacrosse experience will help guide the way. Junior Mathew Anderson (Gorham, Maine/Gorham) played one season at Division I Rutgers and will play a prominent role on the defensive side of the field, while junior goalie Dallin Isaacson (Reno, Nev./Earl Wooster) figures to get the first shot between the pipes after transferring from Maryville (Mo.).
 
Wheeling will play its season and home opener on Sunday, February 21 in a non-conference game with Chowan at Bishop Schmitt Field. Live links are available on the schedule page and fans can watch all HOME games for free on the Mountain East OTT app on most Smart TV devices.
 
Great Midwest Men's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches Poll Presented by Under Armour
1 - Mercyhurst (5 first-place votes) - 35 points
2 - Seton Hill (2 first-place votes) - 32 points
3 - Lake Erie - 25 points
4 - Walsh - 22 points
5 - Davis & Elkins - 16 points
6 - Wheeling - 9 points
7 - Alderson Broaddus - 8 points