FIVE NAMED TO ALL-NECC TEAMS, BLUMENTHAL NAMED COACH OF THE YEAR
Regis College head men’s lacrosse coach has been named the New England Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year, it was announced by the league offices on Tuesday. The Pride also placed five members of its squad on the All-NECC Teams, including four First Team selections for Nicky Rodrigo (Miami, Fla.), Chris Campbell (South Hadley, Mass.), Stephan Bottex (Norwood, Mass.), and Jack O’Brien (Milton, Mass.). The Pride’s Billy Stewart (West Roxbury, Mass.) was named to the All-NECC Honorable Mention team.
WESTON, Mass. – Regis College head men's lacrosse coach has been named the New England Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year, it was announced by the league offices on Tuesday. The Pride also placed five members of its squad on the All-NECC Teams, including four First Team selections for Nicky Rodrigo (Miami, Fla.), Chris Campbell (South Hadley, Mass.), Stephan Bottex (Norwood, Mass.), and Jack O'Brien (Milton, Mass.). The Pride's Billy Stewart (West Roxbury, Mass.) was named to the All-NECC Honorable Mention team.
Blumenthal, in his second year with the program, has led the Pride to a 4-8 mark in 2013, matching the number of wins the Pride posted in 2012. Coach Blumenthal currently holds the career wins mark for the Pride with eight, setting the new record with an 8-5 win over the University of Dallas back on March 9.
Freshman attacker Nicky Rodrigo currently leads the Pride in goals (24), assists (20), and points (44). Rodrigo has caused eight turnovers and has 13 groundballs as well. The rookie ranks fourth in the NECC in goals and is second in both assists and points. He was a three-time NECC Rookie of the Week this year as well.
In 11 games this season, Chris Campbell has recorded 22 points on 16 goals and six assists, while also scooping up 35 ground balls and forcing six caused turnovers. The junior's six man-up goals rank first among the Pride and the entire NECC. As a secondary faceoff guy for the Pride, Campbell has gone 15-for-26, which is good for 57.7% on the year.
Bottex has started and played in all 12 games for Regis this season. The senior has played stingy defense all year long, forcing 28 caused turnovers and scooping up 28 ground balls. His caused turnovers total ranks first among the Pride and second in the league.
Freshman Jack O'Brien (Milton, Mass.) has served as the primary faceoff specialist for Regis all season long, going 133-for-190 so far this year after starting and playing in all 12 games. His faceoff-win percentage of 70% ranks first among his team and the entire NECC, as well as fifth in the country for all of NCAA Division III men's lacrosse. His 93 ground balls also ranks at the top of the NECC while his 7.75 ground balls per game is good for 27th in the nation. O'Brien has also chipped in with nine points (7 goals, 2 assists) on the year for the Pride.
Stewart rounds out the All-Conference selections with his Honorable Mention recognition. The junior midfielder has 11 goals and eight assists for 19 points through 12 games this season. His points total ranks fourth among the Pride, while his eight assists rank third on the team and eighth in the NECC. Stewart has also added 13 ground balls and has one caused turnover this season.
To view the entire All-NECC awards release, please click here.