2013 All-GNAC Men’s Lacrosse Teams Announced
BOSTON, Mass. – The Great Northeast Athletic Conference has announced the 2012-2013 All-GNAC Men’s Lacrosse Teams as well as major awards after this weekend’s championship which saw top-seeded Norwich University take down second-seeded Mount Ida College, 9-7, in the Championship.
BOSTON, Mass. – The Great Northeast Athletic Conference has announced the 2012-2013 All-GNAC Men's Lacrosse Teams as well as major awards after this weekend's championship which saw top-seeded Norwich University take down second-seeded Mount Ida College, 9-7, in the Championship.
Mount Ida College sophomore attack Michael Trocchi (Danvers, Mass.) was named the 2013 GNAC Player of the Year. The sophomore led the Mustangs to an 11-8 overall record, while compiling an 8-1 GNAC record, leading the team to earn the No. 2 seed in the GNAC tournament. Trocchi was the GNAC leader in total points, totaling 68 points on the year. The attack-man dished out 42 assists, which was also the most in the GNAC. The sophomore also contributed with 26 goals on the season for the Mustangs. In a March 16th game against Rivier University, Trocchi scored three goals while handing out seven assists for 10 points on the day, in a 11-6 victory. Trocchi was a huge factor in the success of Mount Ida for the year.
Norwich University goalie Mark Paradiso (Westford, Mass.) was named the GNAC 2013 Defensive Player of the Year for his Cadets. The junior defensive anchor for the Cadets led the GNAC in save percentage, stopping 64.3% of the shots he faced. Additionally, Paradiso led the league in goals allowed, letting in just 66 on the year, an astounding 40 less goals than any other goalie on the year. The Westford, Mass. native compiled a GNAC best 5.87 goals against average for the season. He led his Cadet's to a 9-0 regular season GNAC record and the top seed in the GNAC playoffs. Norwich would go on as the top seed to win the GNAC Championship, and currently have a record of 12-3 overall heading into the NCAA tournament. Paradiso was also named the GNAC tournament MVP.
Norwich University head Coach Neal Anderson also took home the 2013 GNAC Coach of the Year award for his Cadets. In his fifth season with the Cadets, Anderson guided his team to an undefeated season in GNAC play, with a perfect 9-0 regular season. Under Anderson, the Cadets would remain perfect in the GNAC playoff's, clinching the program's first-ever GNAC Championship. The coach has helped the team put together a 12-game win streak going into the Division III Men's Lacrosse NCAA tournament.
Mount Ida College freshman Phil Pichel (Hopkinton, Mass.) has been named the 2013 GNAC Rookie of the Year. The freshman attack-man was second in the league in points, putting together 61 on the year. Pichel was also second in the league in goals, scoring a 40 for the Mustangs. The rookie sensation also dished out 21 assists on the year, which was good for third in the GNAC ranks. In a March 23rd contest versus Becker College, the freshman erupted for six goals en route to a 12-5 victory for the Mustangs. The freshman was a key factor in helping Mount Ida to an 8-1 GNAC conference record, and contributed greatly to the success of the Mustangs over the course of the 2013 season.