ANNVILLE, Pa. – On Thursday morning, the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) announced their All-MAC Commonwealth teams and major award winners for the 2023 men's lacrosse season. Among the honorees, the Messiah Falcons earned five individual honors with
David Gross claiming Rookie of the Year honors. Gross was also named to the Second Team along with
Chad Teresky and
Aaron Shaw. Additionally,
Corum McCuller and
Ben Antel earned spots on the Honorable Mention Team after strong 2023 seasons.
The Falcons finished the season with an 11-7 overall record and advanced to the MAC Commonwealth Tournament.
David Gross becomes the fifth Falcon to ever be named the Conference Rookie of the Year in men's lacrosse. Gross also picked up Second Team All-Conference honors for his stellar play on defense for the Falcons this year. Gross started all 18 games on the season, one of just nine players to appear in every game this season for the Falcons. On the year, Gross caused 24 turnovers and picked up 34 groundballs while committing just five turnovers himself. He helped anchor a defensive unit that allowed 44 less goals than a year ago. In 2023 the Falcons allowed 203 total goals for an 11.40 goals against average. Compare those numbers to a year ago, when 247 goals for a 13.72 goals against average. Gross was a big part of the strong defensive unit. Fellow defender
Corum McCuller also played in all 18 games, earning an Honorable Mention accolade from the MAC Commonwealth on Thursday. McCuller ended the season with 47 ground balls and 21 caused turnovers against just 10 turnovers. McCuller also chimed in on the offensive end with three goals and seven assists.
Face-off specialist
Ben Antel earned Second Team honors this season after holding a .546 face-off percentage this season. Antel also scored three goals and added an assist this season. He picked up 134 ground balls on the year and caused a pair of turnovers while holding the fifth-highest face-off percentage in the conference.
Offensively,
Chad Teresky led the Falcons with 52 goals and 38 assists for 90 total points on the year. His 90 points are the second most in a single season in program history, trailing only Jono Linebaugh's 99 points from the 2004 season. He also earned the second-most assists in a single season in program history, once again only trailing Linebaugh's 53 helpers from 2004. His 52 goals are tied for the second-most in a single season in program history as well. Teresky is tied with Nick Ricucci with 52 with only Reed Horanburg above them on the list with 59 goals in 2004. Teresky scored in 16 of the 17 games he played this season, netting a season-high seven against Gwynedd Mercy on Mar. 22.
Midfielder
Aaron Shaw also earned All-Conference accolades after a strong senior campaign in the midfield. Shaw scored 16 goals for the Falcons and assisted on two more goals while playing in just 13 games. Shaw started eight for the Falcons and picked up five ground balls and forced a turnover on the season.
Messiah's five honors this season are their most in a single season since they earned six honors after the 2019 campaign.
