Men’s Lacrosse Program Hosts Annual Team Banquet

(10/24/2018) 2018 MLAX Banquet Photos

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – On Saturday, Oct. 20 the Providence College men's lacrosse program hosted its annual awards banquet to recognize outstanding team and player accomplishments from the 2018 season.

Providence captured its first-ever Ocean State Cup Championship in 2018 with victories over both Brown and Bryant. The 12-11 overtime win at Brown marked the program's first victory over the Bears. The banquet also served to honor the four-year impact of the senior class on the program. These student-athletes helped the Friars advance to the BIG EAST Championship for the first time in program history (2017). They also guided the program to back-to-back BIG EAST Tournament appearances (2016, 2017) for the first time since the league began sponsoring lacrosse.

The program celebrated several academic accomplishments from the 2017-18 school year, as well. Thirty-four players earned BIG EAST All-Academic Team distinction, the most in program history. In addition, the 2018 spring semester saw the highest-ever cumulative team GPA for the program (3.14). It marks the fourth-consecutive semester with a team GPA above 3.0.

The banquet was hosted in Schneider Arena and honored players for exceptional athletic prowess on the field, while maintaining a high academic standing in the classroom. This year's keynote speaker was Sean Wright '14. Wright was a standout student-athlete during his time as a Friar and has continued to remain active with the program even as his career path after PC has taken him to several counties overseas. Following Wright's message, the lacrosse program recognized and presented 10 awards to members of the team.

The Steve O'Donnell Coach's Award was presented to recent Providence College graduate Will Duncan '18 (Bronxville, N.Y.). The award is named after former Providence College lacrosse coach Steve O'Donnell, who is currently the head coach at La Salle Academy. Coach O'Donnell was on hand at the banquet to present the award and share a few words about the history of the Providence College lacrosse program.

The Rookie of the Year Award was presented to Evan McGreen '21 (Narragansett, R.I.). McGreen tallied 10 goals and 18 assists for 28 total points in his rookie campaign with the Friars. He was recognized on the All-BIG EAST Second Team at the conclusion of the season. The Rookie of the Year Award was presented by Sean Wright.

Nick Crews '19 (Longmeadow, Mass.) earned the team's Most Improved Player Award. He appeared in all 15 games for the Friars last season, picking up 20 ground balls and causing eight turnovers. The Most Improved Player Award was presented by Peter Badgley '15, who earned BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year honors during his senior year.

The Jay Sabitoni "Hammer" Award is named for one of the most physical players in program history, Jay Sabitoni '87. The 2018 "Hammer" Award was presented to Conner Byrne '18 (Hicksville, N.Y.) for the second-consecutive season. The honor recognizes the player who displays persistent toughness, fearlessness and physicality on the field. Byrne's senior campaign featured two goals and an assist in 14 appearances. The midfielder picked up 26 ground balls and caused three turnovers. As a junior in 2017, Byrne was an All-BIG EAST Second Team selection.

The Academic Achievement Award was given to Ian Grey '19 (Clifton Park, N.Y.). Grey had the highest cumulative GPA on the team (3.83) for the 2017-18 academic year and posted a 4.0 in the spring semester. The Academic Achievement Award was presented by Rich Dunphy '93. Dunphy was a starting goalie for the Friars and has recently spearheaded the teams Career Networking Day in NYC, hosting the team both at his office and on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.

The Best Teammate Award was presented to a distinguished individual who displays selflessness and consistently prioritizes the team through leadership on and off the field. The 2018 Best Teammate Award was presented to Micky Carbone '18 (Ridgefield, Conn.). The Best Teammate Award was presented by Chris Jackson '17. Jackson was the heart and soul of the team during his time at PC and helped guide the team to the BIG EAST Championship game.

The Mike Chapey Offensive MVP Award went to attackman Sean Leahey '20 (Cranford, N.J.). He registered a team-high 36 points on 26 goals and ten assists. He also led the team in shots with 88, including 55 on frame. The Mike Chapey Offensive MVP Award was presented by Andrew Barton '14. Barton was an All-BIG EAST selection during his time as a Friar and along with Wright anchored one of the best attack groups in the programs history.

James Barclay '18 (Toronto, Ontario) and Tate Boyce '19 (Matthews, N.C.) shared the team's Defensive MVP Award. Barclay played in all 15 games for the Friars, registering one point on one assist. He picked up 18 ground balls and caused 17 turnovers. Barclay earned All-BIG EAST First Team and All-New England Second Team recognition. He was drafted 57^th overall in the Major League Lacrosse Draft by the Charlotte Hounds and 9^th overall in the National Lacrosse League Draft by the Rochester Knighthawks. The Defensive MVP was presented by Jarrod Neumann '17. Neumann is the most decorated defenseman in the history of the program and played alongside both Barclay and Boyce during his time as a Friar.

Boyce played all 15 games in net for Providence. He posted a 9.65 goals against average and a .529 save percentage. Following the season, he was named to the All-BIG EAST First Team and the All-New England Second Team. Boyce was named to the Tewaaraton Watch List at the beginning of the 2018 season, given annually to the most outstanding American college lacrosse player.

The Mark C. Cordon "Heart & Soul" Award was presented to an individual who displayed leadership and exemplified qualities of hard work and dedication. This award is given annually in the memory of Mark C. Cordon '89 who tragically lost his battle with cancer in October, 1998. It is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a lacrosse student-athlete at Providence College. The 2018 recipient of the award was James Barclay '18. The Mark C. Cordon "Heart & Soul" Award was presented by Jimmy Cunningham '17. Cunningham '17 was part of the defensive unit consisting of Barclay, Neumann and Cunningham that led the team to the 2017 BIG EAST Championship game.

The Spignesi/Horrigan Alumni Award is named after Providence College lacrosse founder Dr. Tom Spignesi '77 and alumnus Sean Horrigan '91. This year, Sean Horrigan along with teammate JL Sweeney '91 presented the award in memory of Coach Kevin Murray, who passed away on Feb. 3, 2018. Murray began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Providence in 1986, under the direction of then-head coach Steve O'Donnell. Murray took over the reins of the program in 1987 and remained the Friars' head coach for nine seasons (1987-95).

Additionally, members of the Providence College lacrosse program earned recognition from various outside organizations. Awards and accolades are as follows:

PRESEASON ALL-BIG EAST TEAM
James Barclay
Tate Boyce
Conner Byrne

NEILA PRESEASON TEAM
Tate Boyce - First Team
James Barclay - First Team
Brendan Kearns - Second Team
Sean Leahey - Second Team
Conner Byrne - Second Team

NEILA ALL-NEW ENGLAND HONORS
James Barclay – Second Team
Tate Boyce – Second Team

NEILA East-West Senior All-Star Game
Joshua Keller

BIG EAST WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS
Zach Masessa - Freshman of the Week (Feb. 12)

ALL-BIG EAST FIRST TEAM
James Barclay - Unanimous Selection
Tate Boyce

ALL-BIG EAST SECOND TEAM
Evan McGreen

BIG EAST ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
Ian Grey
Luke Verrochi
Ryan Zimmerman
Matt Brisolari
Kevin McCordic
Conor Hilton
Nick Preston
Austin Goltz
Tim Hinrichs
Joseph McHale
Owen Martinson
Dylan O'Donnell
Jake Cook
Brendan Kearns
Evan McGreen
Sean Leahey
Joshua Keller
Emmett Jennings
Tate Boyce
Will Duncan
Nick Crews
Nick Shaw
David Procopio
Micky Carbone
Colin Keating
Duncan McGinnis
Damon Currie
Alex George
Nick Tommasi
Austin Yezarski
Chris Zanelli
Dan Axelson
James Barclay
Taylor Dankenbring

CHI ALPHA SIGMA INDUCTEES
Matt Brisolari
Nick Crews
Luke Verrochi

MAJOR LEAGUE LACROSSE (MLL)
James Barclay – 57^th overall, Charlotte Hounds

NATIONAL LACROSSE LEAGUE (NLL)
James Barclay – 9^th overall, Rochester Knighthawks
Jake Cook – 65^th overall, San Diego Seals

- GO FRIARS! -

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Providence College Athletics

Men’s Lacrosse Program Hosts Annual Team Banquet

Players Mentioned

Dan Axelson

James Barclay

Tate Boyce

Matt Brisolari

Conner Byrne

Micky Carbone

Jake Cook

Nick Crews

Jimmy Cunningham

Damon Currie

Taylor Dankenbring

Will Duncan

Alex George

Austin Goltz

Ian Grey

Conor Hilton

Tim Hinrichs

Chris Jackson

Emmett Jennings

Brendan Kearns

Colin Keating

Joshua Keller

Sean Leahey

Owen Martinson

Zach Masessa

Kevin McCordic

Duncan McGinnis

Evan McGreen

Joseph McHale

Jarrod Neumann

Dylan O'Donnell

Nick Preston

David Procopio

Nick Shaw

Nick Tommasi

Luke Verrochi

Austin Yezarski

Chris Zanelli

Ryan Zimmerman

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