Ex-Syosset HS Lacrosse Standout Earns College Preseason Honors

SYOSSET, NY — A Syosset native has been named a preseason all-American for college lacrosse. Penn State senior Mac O'Keefe, a former Syosset High School standout, was named an Inside Lacrosse Preseason All-American on Tuesday, the university's athletics department announced. He earned a spot on the second team.

Five other Penn State players — including fellow Long Islander Gerard Arceri of St. James — also earned preseason honors. Arceri earned a spot on the the third team.

All six were honored as All-Americans by the U.S. Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association at the end of last season.

O'Keefe, a second team All-American and the Big Ten Tournament MVP last season, has set records for the Nittany Lions. He holds the two top goal-scoring seasons in program history after netting 78 as a junior and 51 as a freshman. The university said he is already the school's top goal scorer all-time with 164 and ranks third in all-time points with 198.

Arceri, meanwhile, has been one of the best faceoff performers in the country during his career, earning All-America honors each of the past three seasons, the university said. Last season, he went an impressive 278-456 on faceoffs while adding 187 ground balls. He was named Big Ten Specialist of the Year last season and is a two-time All-Big Ten selection. He also holds the team record for faceoffs won at 690.

The team opens its 2020 season at home with a non-conference matchup against Lafayette on Saturday, Feb. 1.

Watch some of his high school highlights and a profile breakdown below.