Willie Grieco Named USA Lacrosse Mag's D-II Men's Preseason Player of the Year

Wingate attackman Willie Grieco was named USA Lacrosse Magazine’s Division II Men’s Preseason Player of the Year, the publication announced Wednesday in advance of the 2023 season.

His 113 points came with an uncommon split of 67 assists and 46 goals, but statistics only tell so much of how a player impacts the game. 

The Lawrenceville, Georgia, product is one of the most feared attackmen in Division II because he is so balanced in his offensive output. If pass-first attackmen are out of style, no one told Grieco. He can split into a roll and send a defenseman sailing downward into a turf-pellet buffet and then make a cross-cage pass or bury the rock himself. 

Grieco, who posted career highs across the board in 2022 and also upped his shooting percentage to 38 percent, has Wingate hopeful that it can get back to Championship Weekend in 2023. 

Continue below to read the full list of USA Lacrosse Magazine Division II Men’s Preseason Positional Players of the Year.

PRESEASON ATTACKMAN OF THE YEAR

Willie Grieco, Wingate

Grieco is an exceptional attackman who has a diverse and honed skill set. He plays with urgency and ferocity as most great attackmen do, but it’s his ability to survey and penetrate defenses that sets him apart as Division II’s best at the position. 

PRESEASON MIDFIELDER OF THE YEAR

Jack Gibbons, Mercy

Back for another crack at an NCAA championship, Gibbons is a key player in Mercy’s offense. If there is a place that the ball needs to get to, Gibbons will get it there. He had 31 goals, 17 assists and 16 ground balls last season.

PRESEASON DEFENSEMAN OF THE YEAR

Matthew Beddow, Tampa

One of, if not the, most complete defensemen in the country, Beddow allows the Spartans to play 5-on-5 in the six because he can turn off the opponent's best player like a light switch. 

PRESEASON GOALIE OF THE YEAR

Blake Ulmer, Tampa

A seasoned veteran with proven NCAA championship bonafides, there are few netminders who can challenge Ulmer’s place as the top dog. Ulmer led all of Division II in save percentage with a 63.4-percent stop rate and led Tampa to a national title.