SPARKS, Md. (Jan. 29) – After raising its first-ever Conference Carolinas Tournament title, the University of Mount Olive men's lacrosse program was slotted No. 20 in the preseason USA Lacrosse rankings, which was announced this week by USA Lacrosse Magazine staff with input from coaches around the country.

Last season, the Trojans delivered a historic 10-game winning streak to capture the league crown and finish with a 12-3 overall record. UMO featured three USILA All-American selections and a trio of major award winners from the Conference Carolinas, including Dylan Price who garnered Coach of the Year honors.

Mount Olive returns an elite defensive unit headlined by senior Alan Usher, the 2024 Conference Carolinas Defensive Player of the Year. He led the Trojans with 16 caused turnovers while collecting 31 ground balls in 15 starts. Offensively, Mount Olive welcomes several newcomers following the graduation of its top four scorers from last season. Sophomore Chase Penner joins UMO as a transfer following a 42-point season at Tusculum with 31 goals and 11 assists. Additionally, junior Benjamin Vanderkley will be on attack after netting 21 goals. Junior Kurtis Lensing returns as goalkeeper after a breakout campaign with 169 saves in over 800 minutes of action.

Adelphi, the defending national champion, begins the 2025 season as the preseason favorite after capturing an eighth national title in program history following a 17-win campaign. After a third straight NCAA Tournament appearance, Limestone (17-2) ranks second overall while Tampa (18-2) sits third following a trip to the national semifinals. Lenoir-Rhyne (17-2), the national runner-up, was selected fourth and Mercy (14-2) rounded out the top five.

The Trojans open the 2025 season on Saturday, Feb. 8, with a non-conference game at Catawba, starting at noon.