Luke McAuliffe and Richard Checo Named to Preseason All-Patriot League Team

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Lehigh Seniors Luke McAuliffe and Richard Checo were named to the 2026 Preseason All-Patriot League Team.

Senior Richard Checo, who started 14 games as a junior for Lehigh in 2025 and caused 45 turnovers, is the lone long-stick defender named to the 2025 Preseason All-Patriot League team. Checo now has 147 career caused turnovers, 13 shy of the Division I record.

Luke McAuliffe joins Richard Checo on the 2026 Preseason All-Patriot League team and is one of four defensemen selected. McAuliffe appeared in 15 games, starting 14, during the 2025 season, recording four points on three goals and one assist while shooting .750. He also finished the year with 24 ground balls. In 2024, he was named MVP of the Patriot League tournament, which Lehigh won.

Lehigh finished the 2025 season 4-4 in Patriot League play and 5-10 overall. The Mountain Hawks open the 2026 season Feb. 7 at 11 a.m. at the Ulrich Sports Complex.

Lehigh's first Patriot League game is Feb 28 at 12 p.m. against Bucknell at the Ulrich Sports Complex.

The Mountain Hawks were picked to finish sixth in the preseason coaches poll.

2026 Patriot League Men's Lacrosse Preseason Poll
1. Army West Point – 63 (7 first-place votes)
2. Boston University – 56 (2)
3. Navy – 40
4. Loyola Maryland – 39
5. Lafayette – 37
6. Lehigh – 33
7. Colgate – 32
8. Bucknell –15
9. Holy Cross – 9

2026 Patriot League Men's Lacrosse Preseason All-Patriot League Team
Attack: Hill Plunkett, Army West Point, So.
Attack: Timothy Shannehan, Boston University, So.
Attack: Hunter Drouin, Colgate, Sr.
Attack: Matt Minicus, Loyola Maryland, Sr.
Midfielder: Evan Plunkett, Army West Point, Sr.
Midfielder: Andrew Pape, Boston University, So.
Midfielder: Peter Grandolfo, Bucknell, Jr.
Midfielder: Jack Ponzio, Navy, So.
Defense: John Sullivan, Army West Point, Sr.
Defense: Connor Kehm, Boston University, Sr.
Defense: Luke McAuliffe, Lehigh, Sr.
Defense: AJ Marsh, Navy, Jr.
Goalkeeper: Sean Byrne, Army West Point, Sr.
Faceoff Specialist: Zach Hayashi, Navy, Jr.
Long-Stick Midfielder: Richard Checo, Lehigh, Sr.
Short-Stick Defensive Midfielder: Keagan Treacy, Army West Point, Sr.

Upcoming Event: Men's Lacrosse versus Fairfield University on February 7, 2026 at 11:00 AM

Upcoming Event: Men's Lacrosse at Iona University on February 10, 2026 at 1:00 PM

Upcoming Event: Men's Lacrosse at University of Michigan on February 14, 2026

Upcoming Event: Men's Lacrosse at University of Richmond on February 21, 2026

Upcoming Event: Men's Lacrosse versus Bucknell University on February 28, 2026 at 12:00 PM

Upcoming Event: Men's Lacrosse versus Boston University on March 7, 2026 at 2:30 PM

Upcoming Event: Men's Lacrosse at Loyola University Maryland on March 14, 2026 at 12:00 PM

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse versus Colgate on April 29, 2025 , Loss , 10, to, 14

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse versus Lafayette College on April 25, 2025 , Loss , 7, to, 12

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse at Boston University on April 19, 2025 , Loss , 7, to, 12

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse versus Colgate University on April 12, 2025 , Win , 12, to, 9

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse at Holy Cross on April 5, 2025 , Win , 10, to, 6

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse at No. 4 Princeton University on April 1, 2025 , Loss , 12, to, 17

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse versus Loyola University Maryland on March 29, 2025 , Win , 7, to, 3

Lehigh University Athletics

Luke McAuliffe and Richard Checo Named to Preseason All-Patriot League Team

Related News

Players Mentioned

Richard Checo

Luke McAuliffe

Related Videos