BEVERLY, Mass. – The Endicott men's lacrosse team saw nine of its student-athletes earn Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) All-Conference honors on Friday afternoon, as announced by the league office earlier today. Hayden Souza (West Hartford, Conn.) highlighted the group with Short-Stick Specialist of the Year accolades, along with his selection to the All-CCC First Team.
Joining Souza on the All-CCC First Team were Colin Bannon (Westport, Conn.), Shane Hughes (York Beach, Maine), Tommy Hughes (Coram, N.Y.), and Will Jennings (Danvers, Mass.).
Grant Garrity (Duxbury, Mass.) and Bryan McManus (Madison, Conn.) were also named to the All-CCC Second Team, while Dylan Carter (Bethel, Conn.) and Grant Thompson (South Hamilton, Mass.) were tabbed to the All-CCC Third Team to round out the list of postseason awards for the Gulls.
ALL-CCC FIRST TEAM
Souza, who as previously mentioned also claimed CCC Short-Stick Specialist of the Year honors today, has started in 14 out of a possible 15 games played so far this season for Endicott. The sophomore midi has registered two goals, one assist, 39 ground balls, and seven caused turnovers in those contests. Souza currently ranks 11th in ground balls (28) in league-only games, and 27th overall for total ground balls.
Outside of his individual countable stats, Souza has been a key cog on defense and has also played a pivotal role in Endicott's transition game. Due in large part to Souza's play, the Gulls rank first in league play in clear percentage (131-for-151, .868), and second in goals against average (7.63).
Meanwhile, Bannon sports 21 goals and 20 assists for a total of 41 points in 14 games played. Gannon ranks 12th overall in the CCC in points, No. 8 in assists, and No. 25 in goals.
S. Hughes has compiled 43 ground balls and 15 caused turnovers to go along with five goals and one assist. S. Hughes ranks No. 14 in caused turnovers and No. 17 in ground balls.
T. Hughes dominated the face-off X all season amassing 260 face-off wins (71.8%), in addition to 184 ground balls, 10 goals, and two assists. His ground balls' total ranks first in the conference, while his face-off wins total is also first by more than 100 victories (155, 2nd best). Nationally speaking, T. Hughes is No. 4 in the country in ground balls per game (12.27), and No. 6 in face-off winning percentage.
Lastly, Jennings ranks first in the conference in goals (56), No. 5 in assists (25), and No. 2 in points (81). Nationally, Jennings is No. 9 in NCAA Division III in goals per game (3.73), and No. 10 in points per game (5.40).
ALL-CCC SECOND TEAM
Garrity is positioned No. 9 in the conference in caused turnovers with 19 and No. 40 in ground balls with 32. His 19 caused turnovers also leads the team. Much like Souza, Garrity has played a major role in Endicott's defensive stats in league play which include clear percentage (first, .868) and goals against average (second, 7.63).
Meanwhile, McManus has notched 39 points in his first season with the Gulls on 25 goals and 14 assists. McManus ranks No. 12 in the conference in assists, No. 20 in goals, and No. 14 in points. Defensively, McManus also has tallied 26 ground balls and 13 caused turnovers (No. 19).
ALL-CCC THIRD TEAM
Carter has produced 34 ground balls (No. 36) and 15 caused turnovers (No. 14) in 15 games played this year. Carter ranks tied for second on the team with S. Hughes in caused turnovers.
Thompson concludes the list of Endicott honorees. The junior goalie boasts a .963 goals against average, 141 saves, a .544 save percentage, and an 8-4 won-loss record in 15 games played (11 starts). Among conference goalies, Thompson is No. 5 in minutes (735:00), No. 8 in goals against, No. 6 in goals against average, No. 5 in saves, No. 7 in save percentage, and No. 2 in wins.
WHAT'S NEXT
Endicott (8-7, 8-0 CCC) will play the winner of No. 5 Curry and No. 4 Roger Williams in the CCC Tournament semifinals on Wednesday, May 3 at a time to be determined later. As the No. 1 seed in the CCC Tournament, the Gulls have received a first round bye and the right to host throughout the postseason. For the latest on Endicott Athletics, follow the Gulls on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.