MELBOURNE, Fla. – The United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) has announced the 2026 All-Region teams, with Florida Tech earning a major award as well as four players being named to the first and second teams.
Jax Francisco, a redshirt senior from Westminster, Maryland, landed on the All-South Region First Team and was also named South Region Defensive Player of the Year for the first time in program history. Francisco was named to the First Team after a season where he led the SSC with 172 saves (12.29 saves per game). Francisco's historic season includes four SSC Defensive Player of the Week awards, being named to the USILA Team of the Week and becoming the Sunshine State Conference's all-time leader in saves. He ended the season with 203 saves which is the most in a season in Florida Tech history.
Steve Ulrichs, a redshirt senior from Richmond, Virginia, was named to the USILA First Team after being named to the All-Sunshine State Conference First Team and All-SSC Tournament Team so far in 2026. Ulrichs was seventh in the SSC with 58 ground balls and caused the second most turnovers in the conference with 39. The Panther defenseman was named SSC Defensive Player of the Week three times and was a part of the USILA Team of the Week three times.
Brooks van Esselstyn, a junior from Bluffton, South Carolina earns USILA First Team recognition after being named to the All-SSC First Team as a defensive midfielder. This season, he was second on the team with a career-high of 20 goals. Van Esselstyn had eight multi-goal games along with 27 points, 27 ground balls and nine caused turnovers.
Thomas Strong, a senior from Ellicott City, Maryland, was recognized to the USILA Second Team after being named to the SSC First Team and to the SSC All-Tournament Team. Strong led the Panthers with a career-high 30 goals this season and was tied for seventh in the SSC in that stat. He earned national recognition during the season for his career-high performance of four goals against RV Belmont Abbey where he was named to the USILA Team of the Week.
"These young men deserve the accolades coming their way," said Head Coach
Brad MacArthur. "The South region is both competitive and deep with talent. To be at the top end of that recognition wise says something about our scholar-athletes. We're proud of what they have accomplished and what is in front of them."
For the latest news, updates and information on the Florida Tech Men's Lacrosse team, visit FloridaTechSports.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Panthers news by following Florida Tech Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
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