Mason Poli Elevated to Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach
5/10/2019 12:14:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
Zomerfeld Promoted to Associate Head Coach
HAMDEN, Conn. – Quinnipiac University Director of Athletics & Recreation Greg Amodio has announced that Mason Poli has been elevated to head men's lacrosse coach, effective immediately.
Poli is the sixth head coach in program history and third at the Division I level.
"I am extremely pleased that Mason has elected to take on the men's lacrosse head coaching positon," said Amodio. "During this past season, Mason demonstrated a significant commitment to nurture our student athletes and move the overall program in a positive direction. I'm confident his drive to succeed at the highest level will afford us the opportunity to regularly compete for championships".
Poli – a former standout lacrosse player at Bryant University – just completed his fifth season with the Quinnipiac coaching staff in 2019. After being promoted to Interim Head Coach prior to the start of the 2019 season, Poli helped lead the Bobcats to a 9-7 (5-2 MAAC) record and the program's third-ever appearance in the MAAC Tournament championship contest. Quinnipiac recorded a winning MAAC record for the fourth time in six seasons since joining the conference in 2013-14, earning a No. 2 seed in the postseason tournament.
"I am extremely honored to have the opportunity to lead Quinnipiac University men's lacrosse," Poli said. "My family and I are very excited to remain a part of the Bobcat family. I want to thank Greg Amodio and the entire administration for the opportunity to continue to lead our group, and I look forward to building a bright future for Quinnipiac lacrosse."
Poli served as an assistant coach for the Bobcats' program for four years. He served as the team's defensive coordinator, and was also responsible for scouting, skill development, recruiting and academics.
Poli enjoyed a four-year stint with the Bulldogs which came to a close in 2013, after which, Poli was drafted by the Charlotte Hounds of Major League Lacrosse (MLL) with their fourth round pick. Poli's success on the field continued as he led the MLL in longpole scoring with six goals, three two-point goals, and one assist for 10 points in 2014. In his rookie season, Poli helped the Hounds to a second-place finish in the MLL standings.
While at Bryant, Poli compiled one of the most decorated longpole lacrosse careers in NCAA history. Poli led the nation in longpole scoring in both his junior and senior seasons, leading to a pair of Tewaaraton Semifinalist Awards. Poli was named USILA Honorable Mention All-American in 2011, 2012 and 2013, while being named to the NEILA All-New England and Northeast Conference First Teams those same years.
In addition to his playing experience, Poli brought significant coaching knowledge to Hamden as well. In 2014, Poli served as a volunteer coach at Richmond University and was also a camp counselor at both the Army and Navy Lacrosse camps. Poli first started coaching at the Freedom Lacrosse Club in Pennsylvania, where he was an associate coach for five summer club teams.
Poli graduated from Bryant in 2013 with a degree in business administration and a concentration in finance. He was also a double minor in psychology and communications.
Alex Zomerfeld has been elevated to associate head coach. Zomerfeld just finished his third season at Quinnipiac, serving as interim associate head coach in 2019.
"I am privileged to have Alex by my side as we continue to grow the Quinnipiac men's lacrosse brand and represent the University," Poli said. "Alex has a great amount of both playing and coaching experience, and has been an integral part our program over the last three seasons. I am fortunate to continue to work with him moving forward.
Zomerfeld joined the Bobcats after serving as an assistant coach at Bryant, his alma mater, under Mike Pressler. While with the Bulldogs, Zomerfeld helped coordinate the offense with assistant coach Tom Compitello, and organized all tournaments and prospect days. He will work with the Quinnipiac offense in his new role with the Bobcats.
A native of Port Jefferson Station, New York, Zomerfeld spent one year as an assistant coach at Comsewogue High School on Long Island, serving as the team's offensive coordinator. He also spent two summers as a coach for the Team Long Island U15 club team, and worked for three summers with the Comsewogue Lacrosse Camp.
As a player at Bryant, Zomerfeld was a Team MVP in the 2013 season and served as a captain for the 2014 squad, leading both teams to the NCAA Tournament (the first two in program history). In 2014, Zomerfeld's Bulldogs pulled a big 10-9 upset over Syracuse to advance to the NCAA Quarterfinals.
