GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Embarking on its inaugural season in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC), Davenport University men's lacrosse was selected No. 2 in the conference's Preseason Coaches Poll with goals of hitting the ground running in its new league.

The Panthers are coming off their best season as an NCAA Division II program, finishing 2024 with a 10-4 record under the leadership of Head Coach Chris Esquivel, as Esquivel enters year 10 as the program's HC. Dylan Day and Andy Trapp return to the sidelines as former players-turned-coaches in their first year as assistant coaches, with assistant Angelina McSauby marking her fourth season with DU.

DU returned a notable list of key players, including Griffin Poll, Jayden Ashley, and Braylon Baker. Coming into last season as a first-year transfer, Baker's 2024 campaign included Second Team All-GLVC honors. He was also the No. 1 leader in the conference for assists and points per game - ranking in the top 10 of the NCAA DII individual leaderboards in both categories for consecutive weeks. Ashley and Baker tied for the team-high individual goal total (34) and third in the GLVC for goals per contest (2.43), as Poll's leadership as a defensive midfielder led to appearances in all 14 games (seven starts) while recording three goals, 33 ground balls, and 12 caused turnovers (team-high).

With a combined mixture of 10 freshmen and first-year transfers, DU's 31-man roster welcomes back offensive contributors like Luke Eichbauer, Dawson Gillette, and Ty Woods - all three players in the top six of the team's 2024 goal leaders.

Six road contests highlight the start of the 2025 campaign as DU travels to UIndy (Indianapolis) on Feb. 1 to kick off the season. The Panthers' first look at league play is on March 1 in a road contest at Wheeling, as March 11 will be the first home contest in a matchup against Malone.

2025 G-MAC Men's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches Poll

1. Seton Hill - 91 (9)
2. Davenport - 74
3. Lake Erie - 73 (1)
4. Walsh - 70
5. Wheeling - 59
6. Malone - 57
7. Thomas More - 40
8. Tiffin - 38
9. Northwood - 26
10. Davis & Elkins - 22

(#) - First-place votes