UNIVERSITY PARK — Although it might not feel like it outside, spring sports are approaching rapidly. For Penn State that means lacrosse.
With both teams coming off a 2024 season that involved a loss in the Big Ten Championship game and early exits in the NCAA tournament, the Nittany Lions will look to its returners for help finding even more success this season.
Luckily for Penn State, a few of these returners on both the men’s and women’s side are among the nation’s best.
For the women, defender Ellie Hollin was named to the USA Lacrosse Magazine Preseason First-Team All-American team.
In 2024, Hollin led a talented Penn State defense both in coverage and in the clearing game.
The senior had 21 ground balls and 21 caused turnovers but the stats do not tell the whole story. Hollin’s ability to run with the ball and communicate makes her vital to Penn State’s team heading into 2025.
Moving over to the men, both Matt Traynor and Jack Fracyon made the USA Lacrosse Preseason All-American second team.
Traynor is heading into the 2025 season with a much larger role than in 2024. With the absence of PLL Rookie of the Year, TJ Malone, Traynor is expected to take over the quarterback role in the Penn State offense.
Coming off a year with 45 goals and seven assists, don’t be surprised if Traynor finishes well above that point total.
Fracyon, on the other hand, will be asked to do exactly what he did last season. Be one of, if not the best goalie in the country. His .571 save percentage and a GAA of 9.89 just a year ago should only improve.
Also making preseason All-American teams were Alex Ross and Rutgers transfer Jack Aimone. Both received USA Lacrosse Honorable Mention All-American honors.
Ross took a huge leap during his sophomore season out of necessity. The close defender was thrust into the fire when he lost fellow starters Jack Posey and Kevin Parnham in the early stages of the season due to injury.
The defender did not back down, though, and was rewarded with an Inside Lacrosse All-American Honorable Mention nomination in 2024.
Aimone makes the switch from scarlet to blue, but his production shouldn’t change. Just a year ago the midfielder scored 20 goals for Rutgers and is expected to give a boost to the Nittany Lions midfield in 2025.
