Six Mountain Hawks named All-Patriot League; Gaffney wins major award
4/29/2019 1:13:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – For a second straight season, the Lehigh men's lacrosse team placed six student-athletes on an All-Patriot League Team, as announced by the league on Monday. Junior Conor Gaffney was also named Patriot League Faceoff Specialist of the Year, Lehigh's first major award winner since Dan Taylor was named Offensive Player of the Year in 2015. Gaffney and senior Craig Chick were named to the first team while senior Lucas Spence, juniors Andrew Eichelberger and Christian McHugh, and sophomore Teddy Leggett garnered second-team recognition.
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Gaffney was named first team All-League for a second straight season, being named Faceoff Specialist of the Year for the first time. He has proven to be one of the top players at his position, currently standing No. 4 in the country with his 69.0 percentage (216-of-313). Most recently, Gaffney won 14-of-23 (including 10-of-12 in the second half) against second team All-League faceoff specialist, Dan O'Connell of Holy Cross, who also entered the contest top five nationally in faceoff percentage. Gaffney's resume is impressive, now owning the Lehigh program record for groundballs in a game (16), season (currently 125) and career (currently 323). Against Robert Morris this season, he reached 16 GBs for the second time in his career, also winning a program-record 24 faceoffs (on just 29 attempts). Gaffney's groundball totals for this season and his career are good for second and fourth in Patriot League history. His 216 faceoff wins are No. 2 in league history. Gaffney has won at least 60 percent of his faceoffs in 13-of-15 games this season. He was named Patriot League Faceoff Specialist of the Week three this season, his third coming earlier Monday.
Garnering first team recognition for a third straight season was defenseman Craig Chick. Chick leads the Mountain Hawks with 36 caused turnovers while adding 45 groundballs, third on the team. Chick has 10 caused turnovers over his last two games (six vs. Bucknell and four at Holy Cross) to move to 154 in his career, now second in NCAA history and just four from tying the all-time NCAA record. Chick was named Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week three times in 2019 – following five caused turnovers vs. NJIT, after four caused turnovers against No. 17 Army West Point and following six caused turnovers over a pair of games at No. 15 Rutgers and vs. Lafayette. One of Chick's caused turnovers late in the third quarter at Rutgers led to him scoring a goal on the other end, sparking Lehigh's 8-2 run to end the game for a thrilling 13-10 victory. Chick stands third nationally in caused turnovers per game this season (2.4).
Meanwhile, Spence garnered second team All-League for a second straight year. Despite missing two games due to injury, he still leads the Mountain Hawks in both points (48) and assists (26). After missing time in February, Spence re-entered the lineup in March and sparked the Mountain Hawks to a 6-0 month, their first undefeated month since 2014. Spence had 17 goals and 11 assists in the month, beginning with five points at No. 16 Colgate, four vs. No. 17 Army West Point and at No. 15 Rutgers, six vs. Lafayette and at Navy, and three against Boston University. Spence was named the league's Offensive Player of the Week on Mar. 11 following a three-goal, one-assist effort in a critical win over the Black Knights. Spence went on to tally four points at Rutgers, with three of them (two goals, one assist) coming in the game's final 15:05 to help spark Lehigh's comeback. Spence has multiple points in all but one game played this season, and in that game (vs. Hofstra), he had to leave the game early due to injury.
Out of the midfield, Eichelberger earned All-League recognition for the first time in his career, making the second team. Eichelberger stands sixth on the Mountain Hawks in points (20) and fourth in goals (18). He began the season with his first-career hat trick in the season opener while later adding another hat trick in Lehigh's big win over Boston University. Eichelberger has scored at least one goal in 11-of-15 games, scoring twice in wins at No. 16 Colgate and vs. No. 17 Army West Point. Eichelberger has added 23 groundballs and five caused turnovers.
A long-stick defensive midfielder, Leggett was named second team All-Patriot League for a second straight year, continuing the stellar start to his career. Leggett stands second on the Mountain Hawks with 73 groundballs while his 21 caused turnovers are second; both mark career highs. He enters the Patriot League Tournament with 134 career groundballs and 41 caused turnovers, also scoring four goals and dishing two assists. This year, Leggett has two goals and an assist, with the goals coming against NJIT and at Cornell. In the month of April, Leggett tied his career high groundballs at Loyola (seven), set a new career high four days later vs. Robert Morris (eight) then again set a career high vs. Bucknell (11). Leggett has tallied at least four groundballs and three caused turnovers in four separate games.
Short-stick defensive midfielder McHugh was named All-League for the first time in his career. A second team honoree, McHugh owns three goals, an assist, 12 groundballs and six caused turnovers. His impact goes far beyond any statistics, as a key part of Lehigh's defensive unit – which currently stands eighth nationally in allowing just 9.40 goals per contest. McHugh had a career game offensively vs. Robert Morris, tallying career highs in goals (2) and points (3). He opened the season with two groundballs and two caused turnovers vs. NJIT, while collecting two groundballs in Lehigh's big win at Robert Morris and recording three groundballs and a caused turnover against Lafayette.
The Mountain Hawks enter the Patriot League Tournament as the No. 2 seed and have earned a bye into the semifinals. Lehigh will play in the second semifinal at Loyola's Ridley Athletic Complex, with opening faceoff set for 8 p.m. The Mountain Hawks could face No. 3 Boston University, No. 4 Army West Point or No. 5 Holy Cross on Friday.
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Like Lehigh men's lacrosse on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.Â
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2019 Men's Lacrosse All-Patriot League and Major Awards
Offensive Player of the Year – Pat Spencer, Loyola Maryland, Sr., A
Defensive Player of the Year – Johnny Surdick, Army West Point, Sr., D
Faceoff Specialist of the Year – Conor Gaffney, Lehigh, Jr., FO
Goalkeeper of the Year – Jacob Stover, Loyola Maryland, Jr., GKÂ
Rookie of the Year – Chase Scanlan, Loyola Maryland, Fr., M
The William Lawson Coach of the Year – Charley Toomey, Loyola Maryland
First Team*
James Burr, Boston University, Sr., A
Chris Gray, Boston University, So., A
Kevin Lindley, Loyola Maryland, So., A
Pat Spencer, Loyola Maryland, Sr., A
Brendan Homire, Boston University, Sr., M
Chase Scanlan, Loyola Maryland, Fr., M
Greyson Torain, Navy, Sr., M
Ryan Wade, Navy, Sr., M
Johnny Surdick, Army West Point, Sr., D
Quintin Germain, Boston University, Sr., D
Matt Farrell, Holy Cross, Sr., D
Craig Chick, Lehigh, Sr., D
Conor Gaffney, Lehigh, Jr., FO
Jacob Stover, Loyola Maryland, Jr., GK
Ryan McNulty, Loyola Maryland, Jr., LSM
Will Blumenberg, Colgate, Sr., SSDM
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Second Team
Brendan Nichtern, Army West Point, Fr., A
Will Yorke, Bucknell, Jr., A
Kevin Kodzis, Holy Cross, Jr., A
Lucas Spence, Lehigh, Sr., A
Matt Manown, Army West Point, Jr., M
Griffin Brown, Colgate, Jr., M
Sean Mullaney, Holy Cross, Jr., M
Andrew Eichelberger, Lehigh, Jr., M
Tom Rigney, Army West Point, Jr., D
Bryant Boswell, Bucknell, So., D
Conor Shears, Bucknell, Jr., D
Cam Wyers, Loyola Maryland, Fr., D
Dan O'Connell, Holy Cross, Jr., FO
AJ Barretto, Army West Point, Sr., GK
Teddy Leggett, Lehigh, So., LSM
Christian McHugh, Lehigh, Jr., SSDM
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Gaffney was named first team All-League for a second straight season, being named Faceoff Specialist of the Year for the first time. He has proven to be one of the top players at his position, currently standing No. 4 in the country with his 69.0 percentage (216-of-313). Most recently, Gaffney won 14-of-23 (including 10-of-12 in the second half) against second team All-League faceoff specialist, Dan O'Connell of Holy Cross, who also entered the contest top five nationally in faceoff percentage. Gaffney's resume is impressive, now owning the Lehigh program record for groundballs in a game (16), season (currently 125) and career (currently 323). Against Robert Morris this season, he reached 16 GBs for the second time in his career, also winning a program-record 24 faceoffs (on just 29 attempts). Gaffney's groundball totals for this season and his career are good for second and fourth in Patriot League history. His 216 faceoff wins are No. 2 in league history. Gaffney has won at least 60 percent of his faceoffs in 13-of-15 games this season. He was named Patriot League Faceoff Specialist of the Week three this season, his third coming earlier Monday.
ÂWhat a way to cap off the day, Conor Gaffney's first-carer goal!
— Lehigh Lacrosse (@LehighLacrosse) March 23, 2019
Watch: https://t.co/lniVr18ACD. pic.twitter.com/WbOzMUPuFW
Garnering first team recognition for a third straight season was defenseman Craig Chick. Chick leads the Mountain Hawks with 36 caused turnovers while adding 45 groundballs, third on the team. Chick has 10 caused turnovers over his last two games (six vs. Bucknell and four at Holy Cross) to move to 154 in his career, now second in NCAA history and just four from tying the all-time NCAA record. Chick was named Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week three times in 2019 – following five caused turnovers vs. NJIT, after four caused turnovers against No. 17 Army West Point and following six caused turnovers over a pair of games at No. 15 Rutgers and vs. Lafayette. One of Chick's caused turnovers late in the third quarter at Rutgers led to him scoring a goal on the other end, sparking Lehigh's 8-2 run to end the game for a thrilling 13-10 victory. Chick stands third nationally in caused turnovers per game this season (2.4).
ÂCraig Chick is an absolute beast. That is all. @NCAALAX @Inside_Lacrosse @USLacrosseMag @PL_MLAX pic.twitter.com/Q88UYoCibH
— Lehigh Lacrosse (@LehighLacrosse) April 4, 2019
Meanwhile, Spence garnered second team All-League for a second straight year. Despite missing two games due to injury, he still leads the Mountain Hawks in both points (48) and assists (26). After missing time in February, Spence re-entered the lineup in March and sparked the Mountain Hawks to a 6-0 month, their first undefeated month since 2014. Spence had 17 goals and 11 assists in the month, beginning with five points at No. 16 Colgate, four vs. No. 17 Army West Point and at No. 15 Rutgers, six vs. Lafayette and at Navy, and three against Boston University. Spence was named the league's Offensive Player of the Week on Mar. 11 following a three-goal, one-assist effort in a critical win over the Black Knights. Spence went on to tally four points at Rutgers, with three of them (two goals, one assist) coming in the game's final 15:05 to help spark Lehigh's comeback. Spence has multiple points in all but one game played this season, and in that game (vs. Hofstra), he had to leave the game early due to injury.
What. A. Goal! It's so good, we needed to include the replay. Lucas Spence FLIES through the air to give Lehigh a lead at Navy. #PLTop3 #SCTop10
— Lehigh Lacrosse (@LehighLacrosse) March 23, 2019
Watch: https://t.co/lniVr18ACD. pic.twitter.com/itWfhnXnih
Out of the midfield, Eichelberger earned All-League recognition for the first time in his career, making the second team. Eichelberger stands sixth on the Mountain Hawks in points (20) and fourth in goals (18). He began the season with his first-career hat trick in the season opener while later adding another hat trick in Lehigh's big win over Boston University. Eichelberger has scored at least one goal in 11-of-15 games, scoring twice in wins at No. 16 Colgate and vs. No. 17 Army West Point. Eichelberger has added 23 groundballs and five caused turnovers.
ÂEichelberger with his third to give Lehigh the lead!
— Lehigh Lacrosse (@LehighLacrosse) March 30, 2019
Watch: https://t.co/lniVr18ACD pic.twitter.com/aQe7RgKwye
A long-stick defensive midfielder, Leggett was named second team All-Patriot League for a second straight year, continuing the stellar start to his career. Leggett stands second on the Mountain Hawks with 73 groundballs while his 21 caused turnovers are second; both mark career highs. He enters the Patriot League Tournament with 134 career groundballs and 41 caused turnovers, also scoring four goals and dishing two assists. This year, Leggett has two goals and an assist, with the goals coming against NJIT and at Cornell. In the month of April, Leggett tied his career high groundballs at Loyola (seven), set a new career high four days later vs. Robert Morris (eight) then again set a career high vs. Bucknell (11). Leggett has tallied at least four groundballs and three caused turnovers in four separate games.
ÂMcHugh with his second, from Leggett! We are tied 4-4.
— Lehigh Lacrosse (@LehighLacrosse) April 10, 2019
Watch: https://t.co/lniVr18ACD pic.twitter.com/muFHEnhuzE
Short-stick defensive midfielder McHugh was named All-League for the first time in his career. A second team honoree, McHugh owns three goals, an assist, 12 groundballs and six caused turnovers. His impact goes far beyond any statistics, as a key part of Lehigh's defensive unit – which currently stands eighth nationally in allowing just 9.40 goals per contest. McHugh had a career game offensively vs. Robert Morris, tallying career highs in goals (2) and points (3). He opened the season with two groundballs and two caused turnovers vs. NJIT, while collecting two groundballs in Lehigh's big win at Robert Morris and recording three groundballs and a caused turnover against Lafayette.
ÂMcHugh from Fitzpatrick just 12 seconds in and Lehigh leads 1-0!
— Lehigh Lacrosse (@LehighLacrosse) April 10, 2019
Watch: https://t.co/lniVr18ACD pic.twitter.com/AjXhJJnM1y
The Mountain Hawks enter the Patriot League Tournament as the No. 2 seed and have earned a bye into the semifinals. Lehigh will play in the second semifinal at Loyola's Ridley Athletic Complex, with opening faceoff set for 8 p.m. The Mountain Hawks could face No. 3 Boston University, No. 4 Army West Point or No. 5 Holy Cross on Friday.
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Like Lehigh men's lacrosse on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.Â
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2019 Men's Lacrosse All-Patriot League and Major Awards
Offensive Player of the Year – Pat Spencer, Loyola Maryland, Sr., A
Defensive Player of the Year – Johnny Surdick, Army West Point, Sr., D
Faceoff Specialist of the Year – Conor Gaffney, Lehigh, Jr., FO
Goalkeeper of the Year – Jacob Stover, Loyola Maryland, Jr., GKÂ
Rookie of the Year – Chase Scanlan, Loyola Maryland, Fr., M
The William Lawson Coach of the Year – Charley Toomey, Loyola Maryland
First Team*
James Burr, Boston University, Sr., A
Chris Gray, Boston University, So., A
Kevin Lindley, Loyola Maryland, So., A
Pat Spencer, Loyola Maryland, Sr., A
Brendan Homire, Boston University, Sr., M
Chase Scanlan, Loyola Maryland, Fr., M
Greyson Torain, Navy, Sr., M
Ryan Wade, Navy, Sr., M
Johnny Surdick, Army West Point, Sr., D
Quintin Germain, Boston University, Sr., D
Matt Farrell, Holy Cross, Sr., D
Craig Chick, Lehigh, Sr., D
Conor Gaffney, Lehigh, Jr., FO
Jacob Stover, Loyola Maryland, Jr., GK
Ryan McNulty, Loyola Maryland, Jr., LSM
Will Blumenberg, Colgate, Sr., SSDM
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Second Team
Brendan Nichtern, Army West Point, Fr., A
Will Yorke, Bucknell, Jr., A
Kevin Kodzis, Holy Cross, Jr., A
Lucas Spence, Lehigh, Sr., A
Matt Manown, Army West Point, Jr., M
Griffin Brown, Colgate, Jr., M
Sean Mullaney, Holy Cross, Jr., M
Andrew Eichelberger, Lehigh, Jr., M
Tom Rigney, Army West Point, Jr., D
Bryant Boswell, Bucknell, So., D
Conor Shears, Bucknell, Jr., D
Cam Wyers, Loyola Maryland, Fr., D
Dan O'Connell, Holy Cross, Jr., FO
AJ Barretto, Army West Point, Sr., GK
Teddy Leggett, Lehigh, So., LSM
Christian McHugh, Lehigh, Jr., SSDM
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Players Mentioned
D/LSM
/ Men's Lacrosse
M
/ Men's Lacrosse
M/FO
/ Men's Lacrosse
LSM/D
/ Men's Lacrosse
M
/ Men's Lacrosse
A
/ Men's Lacrosse
A
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