College lacrosse season is here.

If you’ve been following the MCLA’s countdown on Instagram, you know that even though NCAA teams are still two weeks away, the virtual varsity season started Saturday with two games in Texas. Baylor defeated Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 20-5 and UT-Dallas took down Louisiana Tech 15-4 in Division II openers. 

US Lacrosse Magazine has tabbed Chapman senior attackman Dylan Garner and North Dakota State defenseman Evan Schraut with Warrior/US Lacrosse Preseason Player of the Year honors for MCLA Division I and MCLA Division II, respectively.

Garner led the Panthers’ unlikely run to the MCLA Division I championship game in 2017, finishing the season with 41 goals and 23 assists.

Schraut, the anchor of the Bison’s stout defense, is the face of a rising power in MCLA Division II.

More information on this year’s honorees, plus four more players to watch in each division, appears below.

Warrior/US Lacrosse MCLA Division I
Preseason Player of the Year

Dylan Garner, Sr., A
Chapman

Garner was sidelined for the first five games of the season in 2017, watching as the Panthers stumbled to a 2-3 start. Upon his return, the faltering Chapman outfit regained its mojo, winning 11 of its last 14 games to make an improbable run to the final. Garner finished the season with 41 goals and 23 assists in 15 games, turning the Panthers from an also-ran into a contender. He will once again be the most dangerous attackman in MCLA Division I and the clear pick for Preseason Player of the Year. 

Players to Watch

Patrick Donovan, Sr., D
Michigan State 

The backbone of the stingy Spartan backline that has helped Michigan State win six consecutive conference championships, Donovan is a premium close defender, with proven ability to neutralize the opponent’s top threat in every game.

Jack Lamey, Jr., LSM
Grand Canyon 

Perhaps the most athletic pole in the MCLA, Lamey is a game-changer for the Lopes. His ability in transition is unrivaled and his offensive ability is underrated. 

Danny Riley, Sr., M
Virginia Tech 

The engine of the Hokies offense, Riley can beat you in a variety of ways despite drawing the most attention from the defense. Much of Virginia Tech’s success this year will rest on his shoulders. 

Cam Wengreniuk, Jr., A
Grand Canyon 

The rugged Canadian had a breakout performance at nationals last year, scoring 17 goals — including an eight-spot against Northeastern — and dishing out four assists. He should get a lot more shots in 2018. 

Warrior/US Lacrosse MCLA Division II
Preseason Player of the Year

Evan Schraut, Sr., D
North Dakota State

The rise of North Dakota State into an MCLA Division II power starts with a disciplined approach to all facets of the game. It’s what makes Schraut the perfect face of the program and the pick for Preseason Player of the Year in Division II. There’s very little flash about Schraut’s lockdown defensive game, but it’s effective and provides the Bison with a stopper in a league loaded with quality attackmen. NDSU has topped out in the national semifinals the past two seasons, but with Schraut manning the backline, the ceiling will be higher in 2018. 

Players to Watch

Ryan Cass, Sr., A
Dayton 

The Flyers are known for their gritty defensive mindset, but Cass belies that stereotype with smooth playmaking ability that ties the Dayton offense together. He buried 32 goals and set up 21 others last year and should eclipse those marks. 

Erik Thysse, Sr., M 
St. Thomas 

Thysse started his career as a standout faceoff man for the Tommies, but now he is a complete middie, running on the first line. In addition to winning nearly 70 percent of his faceoffs last year, he had 21 goals and 12 assists.

Louis Richman, Jr., A
Montana State 

Richman has been one of the most prolific scorers in MCLA history, carrying 119 goals and 146 assists (265 points) into his final season with the Bobcats. He’ll be able to show his skills this spring playing against a loaded schedule. 

Nicholas Guzzetti, Sr., A
College of Idaho 

Arguably one of the best players to ever come out of the Idaho prep ranks, Guzzetti led the Yotes to an undefeated regular season in 2017 with 55 goals and 10 assists. He has a very real opportunity to crack the career 200-goal mark.