The stellar defense of the Salisbury University men's lacrosse team was one of the keys to the squad advancing to the NCAA Division III championship game, and two of the members were honored by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association as the top player in the country at their position.

Senior Zeke Smith was named the top long-stick midfielder and sophomore Preston Dabbs was named the short-stick specialist in Division III. The honors are the first for each player.

Smith led the team in 2014 with 36 caused turnovers and was second on the squad with 73 ground balls, while putting up a career-high nine points on four goals and five assists.

For his four years, Smith registered 225 career ground balls and caused 146 turnovers. He scored 11 goals and added seven assists for 18 points.

Smith is the third Sea Gull to claim the award, and it marks the sixth time that Salisbury has had the top long-stick midfielder in the nation. Chase Caruso earned the honor in 2006 and 2007 and Sean White was a three-time winner from 2003 through 2005.

Dabbs tied for fifth on the squad with 19 caused turnovers and was counted on to lock down the opponent's attack as the Sea Gulls' top defensive midfielder. The St. Mary's City, Md., native also picked up 16 ground balls.

For his career, Dabbs has caused 47 turnovers and has collected 49 ground balls.

Dabbs is the third Sea Gulls to claim the award, with Luis Gonzalez and Dean Rossi bestowed the honor, in 2007 and 2012, respectively.

Click here to view each of the USILA national position players of the year.