Four men's lacrosse players earn All-MIAA honors

FREELAND, Mich. – Four Olivet College men's lacrosse players -- seniors Charlie Haesler, Logan Krieger and Nino Minaudo, and junior Cullen Haesler -- have earned 2017 All-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) honors. Charlie Haesler, Cullen Haesler and Minaudo are first-team selections, while Krieger is a second-team pick. All-league honors are based on a player's statistics during the seven-game conference schedule.

Under the leadership of second-year head coach Matt Holtz, the Comets have a 7-6 overall record and tied for second in the MIAA standings with a 5-2 record. In addition, Olivet advanced to the MIAA Tournament semifinals for a fourth consecutive year and will play at Albion College Thursday night.

"Making the tourney is our goal every year," said Holtz. "We would have liked to be the No. 1 seed but it wasn't in the cards for us this year. We are looking forward to a rematch with Albion."

Charlie Haesler started all seven MIAA games for the Comets at the long stick midfield position. He led the conference with 27 caused turnovers and was third with 44 ground balls. For the entire 13-game schedule, Charlie Haesler has 50 caused turnovers and 88 ground balls. Both totals are single-season school records. His best game was a six caused turnover and 11 ground ball performance against Kalamazoo.

"Charlie is one of the top LSM's in all of D3 lacrosse," stated Holtz. "He is near the top statistically in ground balls and caused turnovers, and he led the MIAA in both categories for non-face off men."

Cullen Haesler was a starting defender in the seven league games. He ranked right behind his older brother with 22 caused turnovers and was seventh with 28 ground balls. In 13 games, Cullen Haesler recorded 33 caused turnovers and 52 ground balls. He broke Olivet's single-game school record with seven turnovers against Hope.

"Cullen is the a tough kid who will outwork any person he comes up against," said Holtz. "He is a smart player who understands the defensive side of the ball better than most players I have coached."

A 2016 second-team All-MIAA pick, Minaudo started all seven conference games in the midfield. He ranked fifth in total points (29), sixth in assists (14), eighth in shots (48), 10th in man-up goals (three) and 11th in total goals (15). Overall in 13 games, Minaudo leads the Comets in scoring with 50 points and assists with 26. His single-game scoring high was eight points.

"Nino is the heart and soul of our offense," stated Holtz. "He accepted the move from attack to midfield this year and really excelled."

A 2016 first-team All-MIAA selection, Krieger was also a starting midfielder in seven MIAA games. His ranks among the league leaders were third in assists (16), fourth in points (30), eight in shots-on-goal (31), ninth in total shots (47) and 12th in goals (14). In 13 games, Krieger has 49 points on 24 goals and 25 assists. Twice, he had eight points for a single-game high scoring high.

"Logan has had a great year," said Holtz. "He quietly scores a few goals and gets a few assists each game. Overall, he has been very dependable for us this year."