Posted: Jun 09, 2015
The Roanoke College men's lacrosse team finished the 2015 season with a record of 12-7, with a 7-2 mark in the ODAC.
The Maroons close the season after having many milestone achievements to be proud about. Head Coach Bill Pilat earned his 300th career win on April 19th, becoming the 15th men's lacrosse coach in all of NCAA Divisions I, II or III to accomplish that milestone. During his tenure as coach, Pilat has led the team to 10 ODAC Championships and now 12 NCAA Tournament appearances. The Maroons finished the season with its program record setting seventh consecutive 10-win season. With their outstanding play in 2015, the Maroons earned an at-large bid to the 2015 NCAA Division III Men's Lacrosse Championships, the program's 25th overall trip to the NCAA Tournament.
Just like almost every spring sport team at Roanoke College, the opening contests of the season for the men's lacrosse team were cancelled or postponed due to snow. Roanoke's first official game took place at home on February 25th as the Maroons hosted #16 Denison University at Kerr Stadium. The Maroons who were also ranked #17 in the first USILA Poll topped the nationally ranked team with a 13-11 victory. Roanoke then traveled just three days later to Sewanee, Tennessee to face off against the Tigers of the University of the South. The Maroons had a 7-4 lead over Sewanee at the end of the half, but the Tigers scored five in the third quarter to take the lead over Roanoke, winning the game 10-9.
The Maroons who now had received votes in the latest USILA Poll, traveled to York to face the #6 team in the country. Roanoke took advantage of the road game opportunity and topped York 10-7. In the continuing string of tough opponents for the Maroons, they took on #5 Stevenson at home, playing the Mustangs to an 11-8 loss.
Roanoke opened Old Dominion Athletic Conference play against Randolph-Macon, on the road, winning 16-9. Kevin Jackson led the team in the contest with five goals, while Colin Mackenzie and Will Pilat had three each. The Maroons followed with three home contests, two of which were non-conference matchups. Colorado College came to Kerr Stadium on March 18th, where the Maroons won 18-8. Just three days later, Roanoke played a tight contest against ODAC opponent Hampden-Sydney, winning 11-10. Roanoke bounced back from a 3-0 first quarter deficit to pick up the win over the Tigers. The Maroons then hosted #6 Ohio Wesleyan, falling to the top-10 ranked team.
The loss to Ohio Wesleyan started a small downtick in the Maroons season, losing three of four consecutive games. However, all off the losses during that span came against teams who were ranked or received votes in the latest USILA poll. The one win during that four game stretch came as a 17-6 victory over Randolph College. Roanoke took a 13-6 loss to #8 Lynchburg, and
The Maroons had three players who were named USILA All-Americans for the 2015 season. Wes Pancoast, Kevin Jackson and Will Pilat were all named All-American Honorable Mentions.
Pancoast picked up his first All-American recognition after being named First Team All-ODAC for the first time in his career. Pancoast was also named Third Team All-ODAC in 2013 and Second Team All-ODAC in 2014. The defender scored one goal and had one assist for the Maroons, but he was a menace for the Maroons defense as he forced 21 turnovers. This mark put him at ninth in the ODAC, and he also ranked second for the Maroons and 15th in the ODAC in ground balls where he picked up 48 over 18 games. At the end of the season, Pancoast was named to the 2015 USILA North-South All Star South team as well.
Jackson is no stranger to post-season accolades. He notched the ODAC 2014 Rookie of the Year award last year while he also picked up Second Team All-ODAC honors. This year he was placed on the All-ODAC First Team and also receives his first All-American Honor. The sophomore was fourth on the team in goals with 30, but dished out 26 assists for the Maroons, which was good for third in the ODAC. He also finished the year with 36 ground balls and 14 forced turnovers, and he ties for first on the team in game winning goals with Colin Mackenzie where he had three.
Pilat garners his first All-American honor after being named to All-ODAC Second Team this year. This year was his second time receiving All-ODAC honors where he also was placed on the All-ODAC Third Team his freshman year in 2013. Pilat tied with fellow junior Ty McWilliams for a team high in goals, putting 40 goals in the back of the net, which also tied them for third most in the ODAC. Pilat also finished with 17 assists, giving him 57 total points on the year. Pilat also notched two game winning goals coming against Colorado College and Randolph.
The aforementioned players were all named to the 2015 All-ODAC teams, along with three other players, including Conn Curry being named ODAC Rookie of the Year.
Curry, a freshman from Easton, Conn., put together a strong rookie campaign as a long stick man for the Maroons, picking up 43 ground balls to place third on the team. His 27 caused turnovers not only led the Maroons, but placed fourth in the conference. He also got forward to register 11 points on nine goals and two assists. Four times he registered three caused turnovers in game, and he pulled in five ground balls on two separate occasions. He scored two goals in a game twice.
Tyler McWilliams finished the season with 58 points, dishing out 18 assists on the season. He tied Pilat for a team high in goals with 40. Pilat and McWilliams also scored their 100th career goals during the season. He also scored five man-up goals, while tallying 23 ground balls and five forced turnovers. Jackson had three game-winners, defeating Randolph-Macon, Washington & Lee and Hampden-Sydney.
Isles Mitchell picked up his first All-ODAC honor in his senior season, being named to the Third Team. The defender from Houston, TX, played in 18 games for the Maroons in 2015. He finished with one goal on one shot, marking a perfect shooting percentage. He tallied 29 ground balls, while forcing 14 turnovers, with a high of three against Hampden-Sydney in the 11-10 victory.
