Coby Auslander is USA Lacrosse Mag's D-III Men's Preseason Player of the Year

Christopher Newport midfielder Coby Auslanderr was named USA Lacrosse Magazine’s Division III Men’s Preseason Player of the Year, the publication announced Wednesday in advance of the 2023 season.

Last year, Auslander registered 76 points. In the process, he set a new school record for assists (46). Not a record for midfielders, mind you. He set the assist record for all positions. That total also led the conference and was top 25 in the nation.

He set a program record for points in a season by a midfielder, and had the fourth-most productive season in school history.

Over the last three seasons, he has appeared in 40 games and registered at least one point in 39 of them, and he is one of four players in school history averaging over three points per game.

Continue below to read the full list of USA Lacrosse Magazine Division III Men’s Preseason Positional Players of the Year.

PRESEASON ATTACKMAN OF THE YEAR

Jack Boyden, Tufts

Boyden scored a staggering 133 points, including 86 goals, in 2022. With Mac Bredahl now playing golf at Boston College, it’ll be Boyden’s turn as the lead weapon in a Tufts offense that always plays fast and aggressive and piles up the goals.

PRESEASON MIDFIELDER OF THE YEAR

Coby Auslander, Christopher Newport

Auslander is an eye-popping playmaker. An exceptional dodger with a lightning-fast first step, Auslander will be the QB of the Captains this season. His quickness allows him to immediately separate from defenders, even long sticks, to free his hands to become a capable feeder and finisher. A year ago, he had 76 points, including 46 assists, all from the midfield while shooting 45 percent. 

PRESEASON DEFENSEMAN OF THE YEAR

Mike Grace, RIT

A 6-foot-5, 210-pound monster of an athlete, Grace should be the leader of the defending champ Tigers defense this year. He’s already flexing his muscles on the national team level, bringing home a silver medal with Team Canada at the U21 World Championship this summer. His stick skills and athleticism also make him a transition threat — he scored seven goals and had nine points a year ago. 

PRESEASON GOALIE OF THE YEAR

Seamus Fagan, Hamilton

The reigning Goalie of the Year, Fagan returns to build on a remarkably strong junior season. Fagan made 213 saves, averaging over 15 per game. That’s including double-digit saves in every game and three games with 20-plus saves.