Seton Hill University Men's Lacrosse

The 2026 season will be Coach Novotny’s twenty first season at Seton Hill University. Under Coach Novotny’s direction the Griffins have grown into one of the most consistent and competitive programs in Division II.  Last season, the Grffins on their fourth G-MAC Championship and advanced to the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Tournament following a first round win at home over Wilmington.  SHU finished the season with an 18-2 overall record and a 9-0 mark in G-MAC play.  Novotny was again named G-MAC Coach of the Year as the Griffins won five of the major awards from the league.  Twelve players earned All G-MAC honors while 10 earned USILA All Region honors and nine picked up USILA All American honors.   During the 2025 season, the Griffins advanced to their seventh straight G-MAC final.  The team finished with an 11-6 record.  Four Griffins earned USILA All American honors while six Griffins earned USILA All Region Honors.  SHU had nine All G-MAC selections.  The 2023 Griffins won the G-MAC Regular season title and advanced to the sixth straight G-MAC title game.  SHU ended the season with a 12-5 record.  Three Griffins earned USILA All American honors.  Novotny was named G-MAC Coach of the Year and 13 Griffins earned All G-MAC honors.  In 2022, the Griffins earned their fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance and won their third Great Midwest Athletic Conference Championship.  The Griffins finished the season with a 13-7 overall record.  Thirteen Griffins earned All G-MAC honors while six earned USILA All Region Honors and four earned USILA All American honors.  The team earned the USILA Academic Award and four players were named USILA Scholar All Americans. In 2021, the Griffins earned their third straight NCAA Tournament appearance and an appearance in the G-MAC final with an 11-3 season.  The Griffins won two of the league's major awards and had 12 players earn all conference honors.  Seven players earned USILA All Region honors with three of them earning USILA All American honors.  The team earned the USILA Academic Award and three players were named USILA Scholar All Americans.  Twenty seven players were named to the G-MAC All Academic Team and one player played in the USILA Senior Game.   Seton Hill started the 2020 season with six straight wins before the CoVID pandemic shut down the season.   In 2019, the Griffins earned their second straight NCAA Tournament appearance and third in school history.  Seton Hill finished the season with a 12-5 record and were a perfect 5-0 in G-MAC play, earning their second straight G-MAC regular season championship.  The Griffins earned five of the six G-MAC major awards including Novotny's second straight coach of the year award.  In the classroom the Griffins had 20 G-MAC Scholar Athletes, 1 CoSida Academic All District Award winner and a USILA Scholar All American.  The team also had two USILA All Americans and one participant in the USILA Senior All Star game.    During the 2018 season the Griffins reached new heights.  A 17-2 record and the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) championship set the stage for the NCAA tournament where they hosted and defeated LeMoyne College in the first round.  The Griffins earned a birth in the NCAA final four where they fell to the eventual national champions, Merrimack.  The Griffins were honored on and off the field during the 2018 season.  In the classroom the Griffins had 16 GMAC Scholar Athletes, 1 CoSida Academic All District Award winner and a USILA Scholar All American.  On the field the Griffins had six USILA All Americans, four USILA DI/DII Senior All Star game participants, eight all GMAC selections including four individual award winners: Jack Moran – Offensive Player of the Year, Brett Craig – Specialist of the Year, Max Eismann – Goalie of the Year, and Coach Novotny – Coach of the Year.     In twenty seasons at Seton Hill, Novotny has recorded a 205-99 record.  Since the 2011 season, the Griffins record is an impressive 166-62 (.728).  Novotny has coached 112 All Conference selections, 13 USILA DI/DII Senior All Stars, 2 USILA DII Midfielders of the Year, 42 USILA All Americans, and 229 student athletes have earned conference academic honors.    Novotny currently sits on the IMLCA Board of Directors and the USILA Polling and All American committee.  Brian is also currently a member of the NCAA National Advisory Committee for Men's Lacrosse.  He previously served on the NCAA Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) for men's lacrosse and the USILA and IMLCA All American Committee.  Coach Novotny earned conference Coach of the Year honors in 2025, 2023, 2018, 2015, and was named US Lacrosse Magazine DII Coach of the Year in 2012.   Prior to Seton Hill, Brian was the head coach at Mt. Lebanon High School in Pittsburgh, PA. In 2003, Coach Novotny led his team to the WPSLA league championship in addition to the Pennsylvania State Finals and the Midwest Scholastic Lacrosse Association Finals.  Previous to coaching at Mt Lebanon, Coach Novotny spent seven years at Franklin Regional High School. He served as the team’s defensive coordinator before being promoted to head coach. He helped lead Franklin Regional to league titles in 1995, 1996 and 1999. While coaching Mt. Lebanon and Franklin Regional Coach Novotny has produced 6 All Americans, a MSCLA player of the year, 2 WPSLA players of the year, and dozens of all league selections. Additionally Coach Novotny served two years on the WPSLA board including terms as league treasurer and league president and was the 2003 recipient of the ALOA sportsmanship award.  Coach Novotny played lacrosse at the University of Pittsburgh and holds a degree in Secondary Education from California University of Pennsylvania. He and his wife, Nicole, along with sons Grant and Brett reside in Murrysville.   

Chris Ilse is entering his 13th season on the sideline for the Seton Hill Men’s Lacrosse program. Most recently, Coach Ilse was named as an Associate Head Coach in the Spring of 2023. Ilse currently works with the Seton Hill offense and goalies after spending the previous 9 years leading the defense.  In his 12 seasons with the Griffins, Seton Hill has posted a 142-49 record, capturing 4 GMAC titles, advancing to the NCAA tournament 5 times in the past 8 seasons.   Under Coach Ilse both sides of the ball have flourished.   Last season, the Griffins led Division II in scoring offense (20.55), scoring margin (+15.05) and scoring defense (5.5).  SHU also led the country in points (666).  In 2024, the Griffins averaged 15.8 goals per game, which was second in the G-MAC and 10th in Division II.  In 2023 the Griffin Offense posted a 16.00 Goals per Game average, good for 10th in the country. Working with the Defense from 2014 - 2022 they had risen to be one of the more consistent and successful defensive units in the GMAC conference and country.  Griffins were 12th in the country in scoring defense while winning their third Great Midwest Athletic Conference title and advancing to their fourth straight NCAA Tournament in 2022.   The Griffins were second in Division II in 2020, allowing just over five goals per game before the CoVID pandemic cut short the season. In 2019, the Griffins finished tied for eighth in scoring defense, allowing just 8.14 goals per game.     Coach Ilse had led the defensive unit to several program benchmarks.  In 2015 the unit averaged 8 goals against per game which ranked them 6th in Division II, the highest such ranking for a Seton Hill defensive unit at the time.  Three defensive players were named to the All Conference team.   In 2017, the Griffins had their second-best season in the programs history with a record of 12-4. They won the inaugural GMAC championship as the #2 seed with a victory over #1 seed Mercyhurst. The defense gave up 7.38 goals per game which is the lowest in program history and ranked 6th in Division II. Four members of the defense were named to the GMAC All-Conference team and one, sophomore LSM Brett Craig, was named a USILA All American.   In 2018 Ilse helped lead the Griffins to their best season in the programs 15 year history with a record of 17-2. The team won their second straight GMAC championship defeating Mercyhurst in a rematch of the 2017 final. The defense ranked 5th in Division II giving up 7.79 goals per game and was the top ranked clearing team in Division II clearing the ball at 90.0%. Sophomore goaltender Max Eisman, Senior Defender Joe Cillo, and Junior LSM Brett Craig were named to the GMAC All Conference team and also named USILA All Americans.   Coach Ilse joined the Seton Hill staff after finishing his playing career for the Griffins. Ilse was a four-year member of the Griffins, a 3 year starter and was named a USILA All-American and ECAC goalie of the year in 2013 and currently ranks first in all-time Seton Hill history in wins (31), Goals against average (8.43) and save percentage (57.3%).   A native of Vestal, NY Ilse graduated from Vestal High School in 2009 where he was a two-year varsity starter and two-time first team all-league selection. He was named a co-captain and high school All-American in 2009 and was selected to participate in the US Lacrosse National Senior Showcase. He is married to former Seton Hill Women's Lacrosse player Alessandra Nicholas and the couple resides in Pittsburgh with their daughter Evelyn.   

Coach Miller enters his first season on the sidelines of the Seton Hill Lacrosse program in 2023-2024. Josh Miller may be new to the coaching staff but he is no stranger to Seton Hill University.  Josh, a 2023 Seton Hill graduate, recently wrapped up an outstanding career as a goalie on the Seton Hill team.  With a .526 save percentage, Josh currently sits at fourth place for most wins in Seton Hill history with a 22-10 record.  Josh was elite on and off the field. In 2023 Josh was a USILA Scholar All American and the GMAC Goalie of the Year.  Josh was awarded the 2022 Elite 23 Award, a 2 time All GMAC selection, a 4 time member of the GMAC All Academic Team, and a two time member of our leadership council. Josh graduated from Seton Hill University in 2023 with a MBA in Cyber Risk Management  Josh currently works at Seton Hill University as a Cybersecurity Engineer.

Coach Maloni enters his third year as a member of the Seton Hill coaching staff in 2023-2024. Logan will work with the Seton Hill offensive unit and is active in player development on and off the field.    On the field Logan Maloni, a 2020 Seton Hill University graduate, is one of the most decorated student athletes in program history.  Logan ended his career with 103 goals and 123 assists.  His 226 points (3.48 points per game) rank him second in all time points in Seton Hill history.  Logan was a 2021 USILA All American, a 2020 USILA Scholar All American, and a three time all GMAC selection. Off the field Logan was a three year member of the leadership council, a two time captain, and a four time GMAC All Academic Selection.      Logan currently holds a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice.  He works professionally for Zimmer Biomet as a sales representative. 

Kevin Steele joins the Seton Hill coaching staff for his first season during the 2026 lacrosse season.   Coach Steele joins Seton Hill after spending the past six years as an assistant coach at Middle Creek High School. During his tenure, Middle Creek captured the 2022 4A State Championship and reached four Eastern Regional Finals. Over the past three seasons, Coach Steele worked primarily with the faceoff specialist unit, developing two First Team All-State honorees. He has also coached with Team 91 Carolina, further expanding his experience in player development. Coach Steele holds a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management from North Carolina State University and is currently pursuing a Master's in Business Administration.

Ilse's third season with the staff. While at Seton Hill, the Vestal, NY native was a three-year starter in the goal for the Griffins. During his senior season, Ilse racked up 12 victories, which helped the Griffins to their first ever NCAA Tournament.  He made 177 saves throughout the campaign. He had an ECAC league-best 60.8% save percentage and 7.96 goals against average.  For his efforts, Ilse was named to the USILA All American second team. Chris was named the ECAC's keeper of the year and was a first team All ECAC selection. During his career at Seton Hill, Ilse held a record of 31-14 good for a 68.8% winning percentage and the most wins in Seton Hill history. He made 512 saves and had a career save percentage of 57.3% while holding opponents with a Goals Against Average of 8.43.   Before Seton Hill, Ilse was a 2009 graduate of Vestal Senior High School where he starred as a two-year starter and two-time first-team all-league selection for the Golden Bears. In 2009, he was named team co-captain, and was a New York-Southern Tier High School All-American. He also played in the US Lacrosse National Senior Showcase in 2009. Former Seton Hill University Goalkeeper Chris Ilse was named as an assistant coach with the Seton Hill University mens lacrosse program in August, 2013.  This will be Ilse's third season with the staff. While at Seton Hill, the Vestal, NY native was a three-year starter in the goal for the Griffins. During his senior season, Ilse racked up 12 victories, which helped the Griffins to their first ever NCAA Tournament.  He made 177 saves throughout the campaign. He had an ECAC league-best 60.8% save percentage and 7.96 goals against average.  For his efforts, Ilse was named to the USILA All American second team. Chris was named the ECAC's keeper of the year and was a first team All ECAC selection. During his career at Seton Hill, Ilse held a record of 31-14 good for a 68.8% winning percentage and the most wins in Seton Hill history. He made 512 saves and had a career save percentage of 57.3% while holding opponents with a Goals Against Average of 8.43.   Before Seton Hill, Ilse was a 2009 graduate of Vestal Senior High School where he starred as a two-year starter and two-time first-team all-league selection for the Golden Bears. In 2009, he was named team co-captain, and was a New York-Southern Tier High School All-American. He also played in the US Lacrosse National Senior Showcase in 2009.

Stone was named an assistant coach with the Seton Hill University mens lacrosse program in August 2014. This seaon will be Stones second season with the staff.   A native of Dewitt, NY, Stone was a three-year starter and two-time captain for the Hobart Statesmen. During his senior year, Stone eclipsed Hobarts Division 1 record for career assists and currently sits eighth on Hobarts all-time records for career assists. Stone also sits at fourth on Hobarts Division 1 career points list. During his senior campaign, Stone helped lead the Statesmen to the North-East Conference (NEC) tournament and championship game where they ultimately lost to Bryant University. Along the way, Stone was selected as a second team All-NEC performer and was named to the conferences postseason All-tournament team.   Before attending Hobart College, Stone was a 2010 graduate of Jamesville-Dewitt High School located outside of Syracuse, NY. Stone was elected captain for his senior year and garnered spots on the All Central New York second team during his junior and senior years. ,In his final high school campaign, Stone helped lead the Red Rams to a perfect 22-0 season, including a state championship win over Garden City High School (Long Island, NY).