Even after consecutive shortened seasons, Tufts attackman Mac Bredahl has continued to look the part of a transcendent attackman.

You don’t need to crunch the numbers to see the impact of Bredahl, an economics major who’s a member of the Tufts Financial Group on campus. He’s played just 14 games since the start of 2020, a season canceled four games in because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but he has produced 39 goals and 57 assists in that time. He also accumulated 31 ground balls in that same span.

Stats don’t paint the whole picture for Bredahl, who is the USA Lacrosse Magazine Division III Men’s Preseason Player of the Year for the second straight season. Had he played in the same number of games as stars from other top-tier programs, his numbers tracked to be among the nation’s best.

Having played just 24 games in his three seasons with the Jumbos, Bredahl is chomping at the bit to play a full spring slate. He’s hoping this spring is his chance to do just that. “He’s probably the most competitive player I’ve ever coached,” Tufts coach Casey D’Annolfo said.

Last winter, D’Annolfo told USA Lacrosse Magazine that Bredahl could be one of the best ever play at Tufts. That’s lofty praise considering the careers of John Uppgren, D.J. Hessler, Cole Bailey and Danny Murphy. And while Bredahl’s numbers won’t come close to those all-time greats, it’s through no fault of his own. Talent-wise, Bredahl is right up there.

“He has the capability to be the best attackman who’s ever come through here,” D’Annolfo said.

A proven playmaker, Bredahl had a torrid stretch in late April last year demonstrating just how dangerous he could be. Against Bates, he tallied two goals and eight assists in a 31-7 win. The next day against Dartmouth — a team playing its first and only game of 2021 due to the Ivy League's COVID-19 restrictions — Bredahl went off for eight assists again. Tufts beat its Division I opponent 15-9.

Perhaps Bredahl’s patience comes from golf. He lists Tiger Woods as his favorite athlete and is a member of Tufts’ men’s golf team. In October, he shot a team-best one-over 72 on the first day of the Blazer Invitational to help the Jumbos win the event by 27 strokes. He averaged a 73.13 across eight rounds this fall, according to GolfStat.com, with a low round of 71.

There’s a certain mental fortitude that’s necessary when golfing. And while the skills don’t necessarily translate directly to lacrosse, being in an even headspace is key when staring down defenses throwing a majority of their attention at you.

“Because of golf, he has a really short memory,” D’Annolfo said. “He’s very mentally tough because of it.”

Bredahl, of Chatham, New Jersey, originally committed to play lacrosse Villanova. But he forewent the Division I school when it became apparent he could play and star in both golf and lacrosse at Tufts. He hopes to lead the Jumbos to their fourth national championship and first since 2015.

A high-octane offense needs a catalyst, and Bredahl fits the description. The team captain with just 24 games under his belt was something of a surprise pick for our Preseason Player of the Year honor last winter. It was more hype than on-field proof.

Not this time. After last year’s performance in an abbreviated season, Bredahl proved his immense talent could back up the accolade.