Two UNC men’s lacrosse stars are already earning honors in anticipation of the 2022 season.

Graduate attacker Chris Gray and senior midfielder Connor Maher were both named preseason first team All-Americans Tuesday by USA Lacrosse Magazine. They are two of five ACC players to be named to the 11-man first team. In addition, Gray was named the magazine’s Preseason Player of the Year.

Gray is one of the most decorated student-athletes on UNC’s campus, having already been named the ACC Men’s Lacrosse Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the ACC Offensive Player of the Year and a member of the Academic All-District team in 2021. He was also a first team All-American and a finalist for the Tewaaraton Award, the highest individual honor in collegiate men’s lacrosse. Gray’s 49 goals led both UNC and the ACC in 2021, and his 42 assists placed second in the conference.

Maher serves as a defensive specialist with the Tar Heels. He led Carolina with 65 ground balls in 2021 and forced 10 turnovers, while being named an All-ACC performer and second team All-American for his efforts. He played in all 16 games. Like Gray, Maher is also proficient in the classroom, having been named to the ACC Academic Honor Roll.

The men’s lacrosse team, coming off a Final Four appearance and No. 1 ranking in 2021, has not revealed its schedule for 2022 as of Tuesday. The Tar Heels are still in pursuit of the program’s sixth national championship.

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications

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