Ashland, WI – The Jacks were picked third in the UMAC Preseason Poll on Tuesday morning as announced by the league, marking the highest preseason pick ever for the program.

"Obviously third is never the end goal, but it's nice to see how much progress we've established over the last two years," remarked Head Coach Greg Gilmore, who's entering his third season with the program.  "Two years ago every vote had us in last place, so obviously we've made a lot of strides and changed a lot of opinions."

The Jacks return several key players from their 2021 spring campaign.  Jamie Colvill returns in net for the Jacks after a stellar freshman campaign that saw him garner 1^st Team All-UMAC recognition as well as 2^nd Team All-State of Wisconsin.   Jonah Evans, a senior forward who led the Jacks in scoring in the shortened 2021 spring season, also returns after receiving 1^st Team recognition from the UMAC as well. 

Freshman Nick Diaz (Burbank, CA) and Marcos Gadea (Calle De Columbia, Spain) are expected to help bolster the Jacks offense this fall.  Newcomers Grant Bargender (Caledonia, WI) and Mason Janu (Taylor Falls, MN) are also expected to compete for minutes up front and improve the Jacks offensively.

Defensively the Jacks brought in several new faces this year.  Jon Goenaga Etxarri (Andoain, Spain), Charlie Paddington (Southampton, England), Logan Meyer (Arpin, WI) and Justin Mangan (Beaver Damn, WI) are all expected to compete for minutes this year on the Jacks backline. 

Senior and All-UMAC 2^nd Team Selection Ainsworth Grant returns to the Jacks midfield and is joined by several familiar faces as well as some new ones.  Diaz is expected to play a prominent role for the Jacks midfield while returners Keagan Culbertson, Caleb Johnson, Lee Dennis, and freshman Garrett Sutton (Houston, TX) are all expected to contribute for the Jacks this year. 

"We've taken a lot of positive steps over the last two years and we're hoping to take another this fall," commented Gilmore.  "We've returned a lot of talent and all the freshman that arrived can certainly play the game at the college level.  We've proven the last two years that we belong in the post season, and now we need to not only get into the playoffs, but do something once we do."