DANBURY, Conn. - Western Connecticut State University senior J.J. Gitzinger (West Islip, N.Y.) was named to the USA Lacrosse Magazine's 2026 Pre-Season All-American Honorable Mention, as selected by USA Lacrosse Magazine staff and contributors with input from collegiate coaches.  Gitzinger, a two-time Little East Conference (LEC) All-Conference selection, notched 32 ground balls and led WestConn with 29 caused turnovers in 19 games with 18 starts at as a defenseman for the Wolves in 2025.  

WestConn men's lacrosse, coached by Ryan Cavanagh (11th Season), finished the 2025 season with a 13-7 record and completed a perfect 8-0 run through the LEC conference to capture the regular season title.  The Wolves downed Keene State and UMass Boston to win the LEC Championship Tournament.  WestConn qualified for the 2025 NCAA Division III Championship Tourney, falling at Babson in the opening round.  WestConn opens the 2026 campaign on Saturday, February 14 with a home tilt against Brockport State at noon.