Seven Spiders Named All-Americans by USA Lacrosse Magazine, Inside Lacrosse
05/08/2025 | Men's Lacrosse
Richmond, Va. – Seven standout members of the University of Richmond men's lacrosse team have been recognized as All-Americans by USA Lacrosse Magazine and Inside Lacrosse. Attackman Aidan O'Neil, midfielder Max Merklinger, defensemen Hunter Smith and Mitchell Dunham, and goalie Zach Vigue were all named All-American Honorable Mentions by USA Lacrosse Magazine. Meanwhile, Dunham and Vigue, along with midfielder Joe Sheridan, were named Inside Lacrosse All-American Honorable Mentions. Additionally, Smith and Jack Pilling earned recognition as Inside Lacrosse Second and Third Team All-Americans, respectively.
O'Neil, who was also named A-10 Offensive Player of the Year, reached the milestone of 100 career points this season, doing so in just 36 career games, making him the fourth-fastest player in Richmond history to achieve the feat. O'Neil has posted 51 points this season (28 goals, 22 assists) and currently ranks fourth all-time at Richmond with 138 career points (84 goals, 54 assists).
A team captain, Merklinger earned A-10 Midfielder of the Year honors. He has registered eight multi-goal games and 15 multi-point performances. Merklinger has accumulated 48 points this season (28 goals, 20 assists), marking his best season to date.
Smith was named A-10 Co-Defensive Player of the Year and earned back-to-back First Team All-Atlantic 10 honors. Renowned for his ability to shut down some of the nation's top attackmen, Smith has recorded 26 ground balls and 27 caused turnovers this season.
Dunham, a graduate transfer from Mount St. Mary's, made an immediate impact on Richmond's defense in his lone season with the Spiders. Selected as the 21st overall pick in the 2025 PLL College Draft by the Utah Archers, Dunham earned First Team All-Atlantic 10 honors after disrupting opponent offenses with 38 turnovers this season, ranking third nationally. Dunham is now second on the program's single-season caused turnovers list. He has also picked up 50 ground balls, the third-most on the team and the most by a close defenseman.
Vigue, named A-10 Goalie of the Year for the second consecutive season, has been the anchor of Richmond's defense. He was included on the Tewaaraton Watch List and named A-10 Defensive Player of the Week twice. Vigue ranks among the top active NCAA goalies in career saves (599), goals-against average (9.54), and minutes played (3,294). He is second all-time at Richmond in career GAA and is first in season wins, career wins, and is only the second Richmond goalie ever to record over 400 career saves.
Sheridan, who was named the A-10 Tournament Most Outstanding Performer, also earned a spot on the A-10 All-Academic Team. Sheridan has recorded a point in all but one game this season (the season opener at Maryland) and has tallied 28 goals and 10 assists so far this year.
Pilling, who earned Preseason All-Atlantic 10 and Inside Lacrosse Preseason All-American honors, was named an Inside Lacrosse Second Team Midseason All-American. He has tallied 26 ground balls, 17 caused turnovers this season, and scored a goal against UMBC.
