BALTIMORE - Three members of Loyola University Maryland men's lacrosse's defensive unit ÃÆ'¢Ã¢'¬" Brian Begley, Foster Huggins and Jared Mintzlaff ÃÆ'¢Ã¢'¬" were named to the Patriot League All-Academic Team on Wednesday, highlighting their excellence on the field and in the classroom.

Begley and Huggins also earned All-Patriot League First Team honors earlier this week, and Huggins was named the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year, as well. The trio were three of 12 players named to the team that is voted on by school personnel.

Begley picked up All-Patriot League First Team recognition in 2018 a year after being named to the second team as a short-stick defensive midfielder. A starter on the Greyhounds' rope unit since his freshman season, Begley has tallied 26 ground balls and eight caused turnovers this season.

He also has been a key part of the offense, both in transition and settled situations with five goals and three assists. Begley has helped limit opponents to a .257 shooting percentage and 8.62 goals per game in 2018. He carries a 3.643 grade-point average as a history major.

Huggins, who earned All-Patriot League First Team honors for the second time in three years (also 2016), enters the Patriot League Championships leading NCAA Division I in caused turnovers per game (3.38). He has 36 ground balls, and his 44 caused turnovers are second in school single-season history behind P.T. Ricci's 51 in 2009.

Last week, Huggins, who has a 3.57 GPA as a finance major, was selected by the Denver Outlaws in the Major Lacrosse League Collegiate Entry Draft. The senior has posted two or more caused turnovers in 11 of the Greyhounds' 13 games this year (every game except versus Lafayette College and Georgetown University) and has three or more in 10 of those contests. In six-on-six defense, Huggins has held players such as Virginia's Michael Kraus (one goal), Johns Hopkins' Shack Stanwick (one goal) and Duke's Justin Guterding (one goal) well below their 2018 averages.

Mintzlaff has a 3.909 GPA as a finance major, has been a key part of the Greyhounds' rope unit throughout his four years at Loyola. He has played in all 62 games prior to the Patriot League Championships as a short-stirck defensive midfielder.

During his time on the field, Mintzlaff has scored 11 goals to go with five assists. On the defensive side of the field, he has 57 ground balls and 45 caused turnovers.

Loyola will open Patriot League Championships play on Friday, April 27, when it hosts Boston University at 4:30 p.m. at Ridley Athletic Complex.