2017 NEILA ALL-STAR GAME ROSTERS
BEVERLY, Mass. – Endicott seniors Colin Bannon (Westport, Conn.), Tommy Hughes (Coram, N.Y.), and Will Jennings (Danvers, Mass.) have been selected to play in the New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (NEILA) East-West Senior All-Star Game. The game will take place on Friday, June 2 on the campus of Springfield College at 6:30 PM, and will feature the top graduating students from all three NCAA Divisions. It also marks the second senior all-star game the trio has been chosen to this season as all three student-athletes played in the 76th annual United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA)/NIKE Division III North-South All-Star Game last Saturday.
All players and coaches were nominated by the head coaches within the NEILA. Players were then ranked and selected by a committee awarding seniors from all three NCAA Divisions who played their college career in the New England region.
"The NEILA recognizes these terrific student-athletes for their accomplishments over their entire playing careers. To be selected for the East-West All-Star game means that you have been a star not just this year, but throughout your four years in New England collegiate lacrosse," said Tim Murphy, head coach of Curry College and coordinator of the East-West All-Star teams selection.
The NEILA East-West game also gives assistant coaches from some of the top programs each year the opportunity to take the reins as the coaching staffs of each team. This year, the West will be coached by Brad Bishop of Keene State, Liam Murphy of Eastern Connecticut State, and Ben Lanman of Southern New Hampshire. The East will be head manned by Kevin Gould from UMass Lowell, Anthony Nardella of Saint Anselm and Derek Marshall of Wheaton College (Mass.).
COLIN BANNON | SENIOR | ATTACK | WESTPORT, CONN.
In 17 games played this season, Bannon registered 29 goals and 23 assists for 52 points. Bannon ranked eighth in the conference points, 14th in goals, and seventh in assists. Overall in his career, Bannon ranks second all-time in program history in assists (138) and points (tied, 293), and sixth all-time in goals (155).
TOMMY HUGHES | SENIOR | FACE-OFF | CORAM, N.Y.
In 18 games played (all starts), Hughes compiled 309 face-off wins (71.5) and 218 ground balls alongside 12 goals, two assists, and two caused turnovers. Hughes led the conference in face-off wins, face-off winning percentage, and ground balls. He also ranks No. 4 among all NCAA Division III student-athletes in ground balls per game (12.11, first in conference), and No. 8 in face-off winning percentage.
Over his four-year career, Hughes has compiled 1,191 face-off wins (.639), 753 ground balls, 25 goals, and nine assists (34 points). Hughes ranks first in program history in ground balls (753), ground balls per game (9.91), and face-offs won. He also sits first among all NCAA active leaders regardless of division in face-off attempts (1,864), face-offs won, and ground balls, and second in ground balls per game.
WILL JENNINGS | SENIOR | ATTACK | DANVERS, MASS.
A starter in all 18 games for Endicott, Jennings produced a team-leading 89 points on 62 goals and 27 assists. Jennings also had 41 ground balls, four caused turnovers, and four man-up goals on the year. Jennings paced the conference in goals, finished fifth in assists, and second in points. Nationally, Jennings ranks No. 10 in goals per game (3.44) and No. 19 in points per game (4.94).
Throughout his four-year career, Jennings notched 188 goals and 59 assists for 247 points. Jennings also tallied seven game-winning goals, 24 man-up goals, one man-down strike, 87 ground balls, and nine caused turnovers. Jennings ranks first all-time in man-up goals, third in goals and goals per game (2.94), tied fifth in game-winning goals, sixth in points per game (3.86), and seventh in points.
YEAR IN REVIEW
Hughes and Jennings led Endicott to its ninth Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) title in program history, and its 10th NCAA Tournament appearance with a 10-8 overall record and 8-0 mark in league play.
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(Photo Credit - David Le '10)