BUFFALO – Senior midfielder Jeff Edwards was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference’s Preseason Co-Player of the Year and Canisius was tabbed fifth as the league announced the results of its annual preseason coaches’ poll Tuesday.

Edwards, also a Preseason All-MAAC selection at the midfield position, enters his final season on Main Street looking to build upon a tremendous campaign. In 2016, Edwards earned All-MAAC First Team recognition, leading the Griffs with 40 points and 26 assists to go along with 14 tallies.

A native of Jamesville, N.Y., Edwards averaged 3.33 points per game last season, ranking him as the fourth-highest scoring midfielder in the country while his 2.17 assists per game clip placed him ninth nationally and first in the MAAC in that category.

He led all players in the conference during MAAC play with 4.00 points per game and 2.67 assists per game and recorded at least three points in 10-of-12 games, registering multiple assists in 10 contests during the season.

“This is a well-deserved accolade for Jeff,” Canisius Head Coach Randy Mearns said. “Our entire program is excited that he has garnered such recognition from the league coaches and it’s a fitting accolade for the impact he has had on the field over the previous three years. We’re looking for him to have a phenomenal senior season. He’s a captain and a leader who’s done everything that we’ve asked of him. He challenges his teammates to be the best they can be, both on and off the field.

“We feel Jeff is going to have an outstanding year, but one guy doesn’t make a team. He’s certainly a big part of what we do, but we need everyone contributing in order for us to have the success we want to have this season.”

In the preseason coaches’ poll, Canisius garnered 23 points to finish six points ahead of sixth-place Detroit. Defending regular season and tournament champion Quinnipiac was selected to repeat as the Bobcats garnered all seven first-place votes to claim the top spot. Monmouth (38) was picked second, followed by Marist (34) and Siena (24). Detroit (17) and Manhattan (11) rounded out the poll.

“Preseason polls are what they are, and anything can happen once the regular season starts,” Mearns said. “Our conference continues to attract and recruit more talented players in every program. Coaching staffs across the board are phenomenal. At the end of the day, it’s a preseason poll. You have to perform every game and you have to be at your best to win in this league. We’re excited to get this thing going as I’m sure everyone else in the league is.”

Canisius opens the 2017 campaign Feb. 18 with a contest against Dartmouth at the Pinnacle Sports Complex in Victor, N.Y. The Griffs begin MAAC play March 18 against Marist at the Demske Sports Complex.

Season and individual game tickets for the 2017 season are now available. For more information, contact the Canisius Ticket Office at (716) 888-TIXX or visit ticketmaster.com.

from GoGriffs.com via IFTTT




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