BEVERLY, Mass. — Nine members of the Endicott men's soccer program have earned postseason honors from the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC), as announced by the league office earlier today.
Joe Mepham (Sudbury, Mass.) and Tim Lynch (Groton, Conn.) headlined the Gulls as the duo received CCC Offensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year accolades, respectively.
Mepham also was named to the CCC All-Conference First Team alongside Joe Akisik (Sudbury, Mass.), Tiago Frazao (Trumbull, Conn.), and Spencer Butterworth (Topsfield, Mass.).
Max Karkos (Wethersfield, Conn.) and Hayden Laske (Wethersfield, Conn.) were selected to the CCC All-Conference Second Team, while Camden Rigney (Wilbraham, Mass.) and Kyle Rosa (Norton, Mass.) were chosen to CCC All-Conference Third Team to round out the list of honorees.
CCC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR | ALL-CCC FIRST TEAM
Joe Mepham | Jr. | F | Sudbury, Mass.
In 21 games played this season (all starts), Mepham compiled six goals (7th CCC) and 13 assists (1st CCC) for 25 points (4th CCC).
His 13 assists helped Mepham break the all-time and single-season marks for assists at Endicott, surpassing Josh Lewis '06 (Groveland, Mass.) in both categories.
Mepham entered this season with seven assists to his credit, leapfrogging Lewis' mark of 17 total set from 2002-05. His 13 assists also broke Lewis' 17-year-old school record of 11 helpers established back in 2005.
Mepham currently ranks fourth in total assists and 10th in assists per game (0.62) in Division III.
Additionally, Mepham is just the second student-athlete in program history to claim Offensive Player of the Year honors joining Evan Couchot '20 (Mason, Ohio), the Gulls' all-time leader in goals (60) and points (133), on the list.
This is Mepham's second career major award (2021 Rookie of the Year) and CCC All-Conference First Team honor (2021).
CCC ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Tim Lynch | Fr. | M | Groton, Conn.
Lynch appeared in all 21 games on the schedule for Endicott, starting in 19 of them.
His play in the midfield aided the Gulls to a league-best-tying 0.78 goals against average (GAA) in conference action on the year.
Lynch also recorded his first career point with an assist in a 4-1 win over Keene State on September 20.
With today's announcement, Lynch is now the third straight Gull to claim CCC Rookie of the Year honors and seventh student-athlete overall to receive conference Rookie of the Year accolades in program history.
ALL-CCC FIRST TEAM
Joe Akisik | Jr. | B | Sudbury, Mass.
Akisik scored two goals and dished out two assists for six points from the back line in 21 games (all starts) for the Gulls.
Much like Lynch, Akisik played a major role in the Gulls' GAA in conference matchups.
This is Akisik's first career All-Conference honor.
Tiago Frazao | Jr. | M | Trumbull, Conn.
In 14 games played (all starts), Frazao produced six goals and six assists for 18 points.
Frazao ranks seventh in goals, fourth in assists, sixth in points, and fourth in game-winning goals (2) in the CCC.
As a team, Endicott finished the year positioned second in goals, first in assists, and second in points thanks in large part to Frazao's creativity in the midfield.
This is his first career All-CCC First Team selection and second career All-Conference honor (2021 third team).
Spencer Butterworth | So. | B | Topsfield, Mass.
Butterworth controlled the back line throughout the majority of the season (19 GP, 19 GS) for the Gulls.
He contributed greatly to Endicott pitching seven shutouts on the year, including five in league play and two in non-conference matchups.
Butterworth also buried his first career goal in a 3-3 tie against Salve Regina on October 8.
This is his first career All-Conference award.
ALL-CCC SECOND TEAM
Max Karkos | Jr. | F | Wethersfield, Conn.
Karkos notched seven goals and two assists for 16 points in 19 games played (18 starts).
His CCC ranks are as follows: goals (5th), assists (28th), points (8th), and game-winning goals (4th).
This is Karkos' first career All-Conference award.
Hayden Laske | Jr. | M | Wethersfield, Conn.
Laske was pivotal to Endicott earning the No. 1 seed in the CCC Tournament this season as the junior midfielder helped orchestrate the offensive and defensive tactics for the Gulls in all 21 games (17 starts).
He also dished out his first career assist in a 2-1 win over Wentworth on October 22.
Laske is now a two-time All-CCC Second Team selection.
ALL-CCC THIRD TEAM
Camden Rigney | So. | M | Wilbraham, Mass.
Rigney played a crucial role in Endicott's league-best defensive efforts throughout the entire 2022 campaign (21 GP | 18 GS).
This is Rigney's second career All-CCC honor (2021, second team).
Kyle Rosa | So. | GK | Norton, Mass.
In 1062:42 of action between the pipes, Rosa posted a 6-2-3 overall record (5-0-1 CCC), a 1.27 GAA (0.86 CCC), 40 saves (.727 | 22 saves, .786 CCC), and four shutouts (3 CCC) in 13 games played (11 starts).
Rosa played the back half of the season for the Gulls aiding the squad in earning the number one seed on the last day of the regular season.
This is Rosa's first career All-CCC award.
YEAR IN REVIEW
Endicott posted a 12-5-4 overall record and a 7-1-1 mark in league play.
The Gulls earned the No. 1 seed in the CCC Tournament and an automatic bye into the semifinal round, but ultimately fell to Suffolk, 2-0, for a shot at the championship.
Endicott's 2022 season featured several historic moments, including earning the program's first-ever national ranking and becoming the first team in school history to play a regular season game against a Power 5 opponent. For the latest on Endicott Athletics, follow the Gulls on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
(Photo Credit - David Le '10)
