GREENSBURG — The Seton Hill men’s lacrosse program reached new heights in 2013.

A pair of Butler graduates, familiar with accomplishing unprecedented success, have aided the Griffins’ ascent.

Nick Elliot and Alex Hill joined Seton Hill after helping Butler win the school’s first WPIAL Division II boys lacrosse championship in 2010 as seniors for the Golden Tornado.

Seton Hill qualified for the NCAA Division II Tournament for the first time in 2013. Elliot was a starting defender and Hill served as a solid backup goalie.

“They’ve both stepped into upperclassman leadership roles,” said Seton Hill coach Brian Novotny. “They’ve helped improve the culture of our program.”

The Griffins finished 12-4 this spring, second in the conference behind NCAA runner-up Mercyhurst and were ranked No. 8 in the nation to end the regular season. Seton Hill was defeated 16-13 by Limestone in the first round of the eight-team national tournament.

“It’s big to be ranked,” said Hill. “Last year we kind of came on the map and this year we’ve turned some heads.”

“We’ve been successful because we have a family mentality. We go out and play for each other every day,” said Elliot. “It’s been an awesome ride.”

Elliot, who initially cracked the starting lineup as a freshman, has proved to be a reliable defender and made his presence felt on and off the field. Novotny has been impressed by not only his progression, but his understanding of the game coming out of high school.

“We knew we were getting an athlete. We weren’t sure how good of a defender he was, how polished he would be,” said Novotny. “He surprised the coaches. He had a great lacrosse IQ and has matured from there.”

Elliot admitted the jump from high school to college wasn’t easy, but team chemistry over the years has helped the Griffins build an effective defense.

“It was a pretty big transition,” said Elliot. “I think the experience has helped me. Playing with the same kids has helped gain trust with each other and we know what each other are going to do.”

“He diagnoses the offense and gets guys into position. That’s where he’s most valued,” Novotny said of the 6-foot, 180-pound junior. “He’s gotten a whole heck of a lot stronger since he came here. He’s really transformed his body. He hit the weight room.”

Elliot’s work ethic has stood out and Novotny considers the junior to be a player teammates should look up to.

“He’s a tireless worker and loves to practice every day,” the coach explained. “I could see him more than likely stepping into a captain role for us next year and I think he would make that transition pretty seamlessly.”

Hill played in four games this past season and supplies the Griffins with goalie depth.

“He’s been biding his time. He looks great in practice and he gives us a great option,” said Novotny of Hill. “We knew we were getting a very good goalie and his performance in that championship game (with Butler) was part of it.”

Hill said the biggest difference between high school and college is the multitude of dangerous offensive weapons.

“In high school, every team had a handful of good players,” said Hill. “At this level, everyone is a threat on the opposing offense, not just one or two people that you have to worry about.”

The Griffins’ historic season was hampered by adversity.

Seton Hill women’s lacrosse coach Kristina Quigley was killed March 16 when the team’s bus crashed. The 30-year-old was six months pregnant and the unborn child did not survive.

The entire university was stricken with pain following the tragedy.

“We’re all really good friends with the girls. We hang out with them pretty much every weekend,” said Hill. “There were no words to describe how sad it was when we found out.

“Since then, they’ve been really strong and we’ve been there to help them,” he added. “I couldn’t ask to be on a better team.”

The unfortunate circumstances made the Griffins’ run to the NCAA Tournament even more significant for the community.

“That brought the team together,” said Elliot. “It gave us something to play for, too. Not just ourselves, but the whole school.”