2018 Men's Lacrosse Roster
Gaffney, Conor
Jersey Number 38
Conor Gaffney
- Position:
- M/FO
- Height:
- 5-10
- Weight:
- 190
- Class:
- Sophomore
- Hometown:
- Mount Laurel, N.J.
- High School:
- Lenape
- Major:
- Mechanical Engineering and Finance
Bio
Feature: Gaffney and Cole Push Each Other to Excellence
Feature: Sisselberger and Gaffney Share Competitive Drive
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- Program and Patriot League record for career groundballs (401)
- Program record for career faceoff wins (686)
- Program and Patriot League record for faceoff wins in a season (249 in 2019).
- Program record for faceoff wins in a game (24 vs. Robert Morris on Apr. 10, 2019).
- Patriot League Faceoff Specialist of the Year (2019)
- Two-time first team All-Patriot League (2018 and 2019)
- Honorable mention All-American (USILA and Media) (2019)
- Two-time candidate for Senior CLASS Award
- Lehigh’s first-ever Premier Lacrosse League Collegiate Draft Pick (21st Overall to the Archers)
- Lehigh Athletics’ Graduating Scholar-Athlete of the Year and Outstanding Graduating Male Athlete
- Four-time CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree.
- Three-time CoSIDA Academic All-American
- Two-time Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year (2018 and 2019)
- Three-time member of the Academic All-Patriot League team (2018, 2019 and 2021)
WHY LEHIGH? “It was the perfect fit for me academically, athletically and socially. On top of that, when I visited, the coaches and players created a team atmosphere that I wanted to be a part of.”
AS A GRADUATE STUDENT (2021): Preseason honorable mention All-American by Inside Lacrosse … Ended up backing up Mike Sisselbrger in 2021, who broke the NCAA Division I record for faceoff percentage (79.5) … Gaffney played in eight games, winning 17-of-34 faceoffs (50.0 percent) with 10 groundballs and a caused turnover … Earned a spot on the CoSIDA Academic All-District team for a fourth straight season … Named a candidate for the Senior CLASS Award for a second straight year … USILA Scholar All-American … Named Lehigh Athletics’ Graduating Scholar-Athlete of the Year and Outstanding Graduating Male Athlete. Also garnered a Distinguished Achievement Award … Won one faceoff on four attempts while adding two groundballs and a caused turnover in the regular season finale at No. 16 Villanova (5/1) … Won 3-of-6 faceoffs with two groundballs against Bucknell (4/24) … Was 2-of-2 facing off with a groundball on Senior Day vs. Lafayette (4/18) … Two nights prior, finished 6-of-9 with three GBs at Lafayette (4/16) … Was 1-of-4 facing off at Colgate (3/28) … Made season debut at Bucknell (3/14), winning 3-of-6 faceoffs with two groundballs … Named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
AS A SENIOR (2020): Another impressive campaign, winning 65.7 percent of his faceoffs (67-of-102) in shortened season with 42 groundballs … Despite splitting time with Mike Sisselberger, finished ninth nationally in faceoff percentage and 23rd in groundballs per contest (7.00) … Reached double-figure groundballs twice and won more than 50 percent of his faceoffs taken in five-of-six games … Named to Tewaaraton Award Watch List and was a Senior CLASS Award candidate … Named CoSIDA Academic All-District for third straight year … Inside Lacrosse Preseason All-American … Preseason All-Patriot League honoree ... Stellar vs. Navy (2/29), winning 11-of-14 faceoffs with nine groundballs. Became the Patriot League’s all-time leader for career groundballs. Won final nine faceoffs taken for the game … Finished 13-of-14 facing off with 10 groundballs at NJIT (2/22). Marked fewest amount of losses (with at least 10 wins) in career … Won 12-of-17 faceoffs with six groundballs vs. VMI (2/20) … Finished 8-of-15 facing off with four groundballs at No. 1/2 Virginia (2/15) … Strong season opener, winning 17-of-26 faceoffs with 11 groundballs vs. Utah (2/8) … Named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
AS A JUNIOR (2019): Enjoyed historic season, setting Patriot League and program records for faceoff wins (249) and groundballs (152) … Finished the season fourth nationally in faceoff percentage (69.7), winning 249-of-357 … Also had two goals and an assist … Won 60 percent or more of his faceoffs in 15-of-17 games … Named Patriot League Faceoff Specialist of the Year … First team All-League for second straight season … Also garnered second straight Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year award, garnering Academic All-League as well … Named both a USILA and Inside Lacrosse/Media honorable mention All-American … Second team All-ECAC … CoSIDA Academic All-District and third team Academic All-American for second straight season … Named to the Patriot League All-Tournament Team ... Tremendous in Patriot League Championship Game vs. No. 19 Army West Point (5/5), winning 18-of-22 faceoffs, including 13 in a row to end the game. Added 15 groudnballs, just one from tying a career high … Strong once against in the Patriot League Semifinals vs. Boston University (5/3), winning 15-of-22 faceoffs with 11 groundballs and a goal. Broke the Patriot League record for groundballs in a season (breaking the previous record of 132) … Impressed at Holy Cross (4/26), winning 14-of-23 faceoffs against Dan O’Connell in a battle of top five faceoff men (by percentage) in the nation. Gaffney won 10-of-12 in the second half and added seven groundballs. Named Patriot League Faceoff Specialist of the Week for third time in 2019 … Another strong effort, winning 17-of-25 faceoffs against Bucknell (4/20). Added three groundballs, becoming Lehigh’s all-time record holder for groundballs in a season and career, passing Ryan Snyder’s marks of 118 and 313, respectively …. Was a perfect 13-of-13 with 11 groundballs vs. St. Bonaventure (4/13), becoming just the third player in the nation to finish 100 percent with at least 10 faceoff wins … Sensational against Robert Morris (4/10), winning 24-of-29 faceoffs with a career-high tying 16 groundballs. 24 faceoff wins set a school record while 16 GBs tied his own school mark … Finished 10-of-21 with three groundballs at No. 2 Loyola (4/6) … Won 14-of-22 faceoffs with 11 groundballs and a caused turnover in another strong effort vs. Boston University (3/30) … Impressed, winning 17-of-26 faceoffs at Navy (3/23), including 12-of-16 in the second half. Added nine groundballs and scored first-career goal in the game’s final minute … Stellar against archrival Lafayette (3/17), winning 15-of-18 faceoffs with 11 groundballs. Also dished an assist, his third-career assist (and point) … Won 8-of-17 with three groundballs at No. 15 Rutgers (3/12) … Incredible again, this time winning 18-of-23 with 11 groundballs vs. No. 17 Army West Point (3/9) to earn Patriot League Faceoff Specialist of the Week for a second straight week … Stellar at No. 16 Colgate (3/2), winning 17-of-20 faceoffs with 14 groundballs to earn Patriot League Faceoff Specialist of the Week … Won 14-of-23 faceoffs with seven groundballs at No. 4 Cornell (2/24) … Continued strong play, winning 15-of-23 faceoffs while collecting eight groundballs at No. 11 Virginia (2/15). Came against UVA’s Justin Schwenk, who finished No. 1 in the ACC with a 59.8 faceoff winning percentage the previous season … Won 6-of-10 faceoffs against Hofstra (2/9), including a perfect 4-of-4 in the fourth quarter … Strong start to the season, winning 14-of-20 faceoffs vs. NJIT (2/2), including 13 of final 17. Added 10 groundballs … Named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
AS A SOPHOMORE (2018): Another tremendous season, earning first team All-Patriot League honors … Shared first team faceoff laurels with Navy’s Joe Varello; Gaffney beat Varello in both the regular season (13-of-21) and Patriot League Semifinals (12-of-23) … Finished season No. 1 in the Patriot League with a 59.4 percentage (214-of-360), good for 14th nationally … Posted 101 groundballs, standing 17th in the country in groundballs per game (5.94) … GB total was second in school history while 59.4 percentage was fourth … 214 faceoff wins were by far a school record, shattering previous record of 173 held by Ryan Snyder … Named Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year … Earned first team Academic All-District by CoSIDA and third team Academic All-America … Won 50 percent or more of his faceoffs in 14-of-17 games … Was a four-time Patriot League Faceoff Specialist of the Week, including a stretch of three straight awards in March … Won 14-of-24 faceoffs with six groundballs in the Patriot League Championship Game at No. 6/8 Loyola (4/29) … Impressed in Patriot League Semifinals against No. 11/13 Navy (4/27), winning 12-of-23 faceoffs against the league’s Faceoff Specialist of the Year Joe Varello. Gaffney was a perfect 5-of-5 in the fourth quarter and overtime … Won 10-of-18 faceoffs with four groundballs in the Patriot League Quarterfinals vs. Colgate (4/24) … Strong once again, winning 14-of-20 faceoffs with three groundballs at No. 11/12 Bucknell (4/20) … Was 16-of-23 facing off with nine groundballs against No. 9/11 Cornell (4/14), facing Paul Rasimowicz who entered the day at 54.8 percent on the year … Finished 8-of-17 facing off, including a perfect 3-of-3 in the fourth quarter to lead Lehigh to dramatic win at Boston University (3/31). Collected six groundballs … Won 13-of-21 faceoff vs. Navy (3/24), facing the Mids’ Joe Varello, who entered the day at 63.2 percent on the season … Another strong game at No. 18/19 Hofstra (3/20), winning 15-of-24 faceoffs against an opponent Kyle Gallagher, who won 61.8 percent of his draws entering the day … Stellar at Lafayette (3/17), winning 17-of-20 faceoffs with 10 groundballs (all in the first half). Also posted first-career point, an assist … Won 11-of-19 faceoffs, including a perfect 4-of-4 in the fourth quarter, against No. 18/16 Rutgers (3/14) … Impressed at No. 12 Army West Point (3/10), winning 12-of-20 faceoffs with three groundballs. Won nine of his final 16 draws, including 6-of-8 in the middle two quarters … Won 10 of his final 15 faceoffs to finish 11-of-20 with four groundballs against Colgate (3/3) … Finished 12-of-19 in the faceoff circle with eight groundballs vs. Holy Cross (2/24) … Won 11-of-26 faceoffs with seven groundballs at No. 13/14 North Carolina (2/17) … Another strong effort, winning 14-of-23 faceoffs with four groundballs at Mercer (2/10) … Won 5-of-6 in the second quarter to help turn a 6-5 deficit into a 9-7 halftime lead … Stellar in season opener vs. NJIT (2/3), winning 18-of-25 faceoffs including 12 of last 13. Added 12 groundballs and a caused turnover … Named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
AS A FRESHMAN (2017): Stellar freshman campaign, finishing eighth nationally in faceoff percentage (.610) and fifth in groundballs in per game (8.00) … Finished season winning 139-of-228 draws while collecting a team-high 96 groundballs … Won double-figure faceoffs in nine of 12 games played … Was named Patriot League Faceoff Specialist of the Week three times and Rookie of the Week on four occasions … Stellar in the Patriot League Quarterfinals at No. 18/19 Boston University (4/25), winning 12-of-18 faceoffs with eight groundballs … Won 9-of-19 faceoffs with six groundballs in regular season finale vs. Bucknell (4/21) … Stellar in return from injury at Cornell (4/15), winning 19-of-23 faceoffs with 11 groundballs. 19 faceoff wins tied a career high … Strong once again, this time vs. Lafayette (3/18), winning 14-of-22 faceoffs with 12 groundballs. Was rewarded with Patriot League Rookie of the Week honors for a fourth time this season … Impressed at Colgate (3/5), winning 16-of-20 faceoffs with 12 groundballs. Because of his efforts, was named Patriot League Faceoff Specialist, and Rookie, of the Week for the second time … Stellar in Patriot League opener at Holy Cross (2/25), winning 17-of-22 faceoffs with 13 groundballs. After losing three of his first five, won 15 of his final 17 attempts … Very solid effort at No. 2/3 North Carolina, facing UNC All-American Stephen Kelly. Finished 11-of-23 on the day, including nine of his last 15. Added six groundballs … Won 12-of-24 faceoffs at Jacksonville (2/11) along with seven groundballs to earn Patriot League Rookie of the Week for the second straight week … Stellar collegiate debut, winning 19-of-22 faceoffs with 16 groundballs against NJIT (2/4). The 19 faceoff wins were most by a Lehigh player since Will Scudder at Bucknell in 2009. The 16 groundballs were also most by any Lehigh player in Kevin Cassese’s 10-year tenure as head coach. Was awarded both Patriot League Rookie and Faceoff Specialist of the Week … Named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
BEFORE LEHIGH: Four-time first team All-Olympic Conference member at Lenape High School … Was also a three-time first team All-Burlington County honoree … Twice named first team All-South Jersey, also twice earning All-State and All-America recognition … Was an Under Armour Underclass All-American for New Jersey and MVP of the 2013 Best of the Best Team Showcase for Duke’s LC … Two-time team captain for Lenape Lacrosse and runner up for South Jersey Player of the Year … In 2016, was the Olympic Conference, and Burlington County, Player of the Year … A multi-sport athlete, was a three-year varsity letterwinner in football, earning second team All-Conference as a junior and first team All-Conference as a senior … Lenape football “Hammer” award winner, also garnering South Jersey first team laurels … First team All-Academic honoree as a senior … Was the 2015 South Jersey Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year … Impressive in the classroom, posted a 6.0 weighted GPA (4.0 unweighted) … Finished tied for first in his class, was the Senior Male Outstanding, and Student-Athlete of the Year.
CAREER STATISTICS
CAREER HIGHS
Groundballs: 4 vs. VMI (2/20/20)
Caused Turnovers: 2 vs. Boston University (5/3/19)
GETTING TO KNOW CONOR
Nickname: Gaff
What’s your favorite thing about Lehigh? All the people who I have become friends with.
Major & Why: Engineering because I enjoy solving problems using math and physics.
Favorite Class at Lehigh: Calculus
Favorite Place on Campus: Hawk’s Nest
Favorite Food: Steak
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Musical Artist: Coldplay
Favorite Movie: Friday Night Lights
Favorite TV Show: Game of Thrones
Favorite Website: YouTube
Favorite Sports Broadcaster: Mike Mayock
Favorite Pro Team: Baltimore Ravens
Favorite Athlete In Another Sport: Luke Keuchley
Hobbies: Skiing, lifting, going to the beach
Magazine Cover I'd Like To Be On: Sports Illustrated
Place I'd Like To Visit: Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Talent I’d Most Like To Have: Being able to run fast
Dream Job: CEO
I Wear My Jersey Number Because: It was my dad’s football number, so I picked it as my football number in youth and high school since he was such a big influence on me and my athletic career.
If I Didn't Play Lacrosse, I Would Play: Football
If I Had $1 Billion, I Would: Buy cars and ski a lot
Feature: Sisselberger and Gaffney Share Competitive Drive
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- Program and Patriot League record for career groundballs (401)
- Program record for career faceoff wins (686)
- Program and Patriot League record for faceoff wins in a season (249 in 2019).
- Program record for faceoff wins in a game (24 vs. Robert Morris on Apr. 10, 2019).
- Patriot League Faceoff Specialist of the Year (2019)
- Two-time first team All-Patriot League (2018 and 2019)
- Honorable mention All-American (USILA and Media) (2019)
- Two-time candidate for Senior CLASS Award
- Lehigh’s first-ever Premier Lacrosse League Collegiate Draft Pick (21st Overall to the Archers)
- Lehigh Athletics’ Graduating Scholar-Athlete of the Year and Outstanding Graduating Male Athlete
- Four-time CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree.
- Three-time CoSIDA Academic All-American
- Two-time Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year (2018 and 2019)
- Three-time member of the Academic All-Patriot League team (2018, 2019 and 2021)
WHY LEHIGH? “It was the perfect fit for me academically, athletically and socially. On top of that, when I visited, the coaches and players created a team atmosphere that I wanted to be a part of.”
AS A GRADUATE STUDENT (2021): Preseason honorable mention All-American by Inside Lacrosse … Ended up backing up Mike Sisselbrger in 2021, who broke the NCAA Division I record for faceoff percentage (79.5) … Gaffney played in eight games, winning 17-of-34 faceoffs (50.0 percent) with 10 groundballs and a caused turnover … Earned a spot on the CoSIDA Academic All-District team for a fourth straight season … Named a candidate for the Senior CLASS Award for a second straight year … USILA Scholar All-American … Named Lehigh Athletics’ Graduating Scholar-Athlete of the Year and Outstanding Graduating Male Athlete. Also garnered a Distinguished Achievement Award … Won one faceoff on four attempts while adding two groundballs and a caused turnover in the regular season finale at No. 16 Villanova (5/1) … Won 3-of-6 faceoffs with two groundballs against Bucknell (4/24) … Was 2-of-2 facing off with a groundball on Senior Day vs. Lafayette (4/18) … Two nights prior, finished 6-of-9 with three GBs at Lafayette (4/16) … Was 1-of-4 facing off at Colgate (3/28) … Made season debut at Bucknell (3/14), winning 3-of-6 faceoffs with two groundballs … Named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
AS A SENIOR (2020): Another impressive campaign, winning 65.7 percent of his faceoffs (67-of-102) in shortened season with 42 groundballs … Despite splitting time with Mike Sisselberger, finished ninth nationally in faceoff percentage and 23rd in groundballs per contest (7.00) … Reached double-figure groundballs twice and won more than 50 percent of his faceoffs taken in five-of-six games … Named to Tewaaraton Award Watch List and was a Senior CLASS Award candidate … Named CoSIDA Academic All-District for third straight year … Inside Lacrosse Preseason All-American … Preseason All-Patriot League honoree ... Stellar vs. Navy (2/29), winning 11-of-14 faceoffs with nine groundballs. Became the Patriot League’s all-time leader for career groundballs. Won final nine faceoffs taken for the game … Finished 13-of-14 facing off with 10 groundballs at NJIT (2/22). Marked fewest amount of losses (with at least 10 wins) in career … Won 12-of-17 faceoffs with six groundballs vs. VMI (2/20) … Finished 8-of-15 facing off with four groundballs at No. 1/2 Virginia (2/15) … Strong season opener, winning 17-of-26 faceoffs with 11 groundballs vs. Utah (2/8) … Named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
AS A JUNIOR (2019): Enjoyed historic season, setting Patriot League and program records for faceoff wins (249) and groundballs (152) … Finished the season fourth nationally in faceoff percentage (69.7), winning 249-of-357 … Also had two goals and an assist … Won 60 percent or more of his faceoffs in 15-of-17 games … Named Patriot League Faceoff Specialist of the Year … First team All-League for second straight season … Also garnered second straight Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year award, garnering Academic All-League as well … Named both a USILA and Inside Lacrosse/Media honorable mention All-American … Second team All-ECAC … CoSIDA Academic All-District and third team Academic All-American for second straight season … Named to the Patriot League All-Tournament Team ... Tremendous in Patriot League Championship Game vs. No. 19 Army West Point (5/5), winning 18-of-22 faceoffs, including 13 in a row to end the game. Added 15 groudnballs, just one from tying a career high … Strong once against in the Patriot League Semifinals vs. Boston University (5/3), winning 15-of-22 faceoffs with 11 groundballs and a goal. Broke the Patriot League record for groundballs in a season (breaking the previous record of 132) … Impressed at Holy Cross (4/26), winning 14-of-23 faceoffs against Dan O’Connell in a battle of top five faceoff men (by percentage) in the nation. Gaffney won 10-of-12 in the second half and added seven groundballs. Named Patriot League Faceoff Specialist of the Week for third time in 2019 … Another strong effort, winning 17-of-25 faceoffs against Bucknell (4/20). Added three groundballs, becoming Lehigh’s all-time record holder for groundballs in a season and career, passing Ryan Snyder’s marks of 118 and 313, respectively …. Was a perfect 13-of-13 with 11 groundballs vs. St. Bonaventure (4/13), becoming just the third player in the nation to finish 100 percent with at least 10 faceoff wins … Sensational against Robert Morris (4/10), winning 24-of-29 faceoffs with a career-high tying 16 groundballs. 24 faceoff wins set a school record while 16 GBs tied his own school mark … Finished 10-of-21 with three groundballs at No. 2 Loyola (4/6) … Won 14-of-22 faceoffs with 11 groundballs and a caused turnover in another strong effort vs. Boston University (3/30) … Impressed, winning 17-of-26 faceoffs at Navy (3/23), including 12-of-16 in the second half. Added nine groundballs and scored first-career goal in the game’s final minute … Stellar against archrival Lafayette (3/17), winning 15-of-18 faceoffs with 11 groundballs. Also dished an assist, his third-career assist (and point) … Won 8-of-17 with three groundballs at No. 15 Rutgers (3/12) … Incredible again, this time winning 18-of-23 with 11 groundballs vs. No. 17 Army West Point (3/9) to earn Patriot League Faceoff Specialist of the Week for a second straight week … Stellar at No. 16 Colgate (3/2), winning 17-of-20 faceoffs with 14 groundballs to earn Patriot League Faceoff Specialist of the Week … Won 14-of-23 faceoffs with seven groundballs at No. 4 Cornell (2/24) … Continued strong play, winning 15-of-23 faceoffs while collecting eight groundballs at No. 11 Virginia (2/15). Came against UVA’s Justin Schwenk, who finished No. 1 in the ACC with a 59.8 faceoff winning percentage the previous season … Won 6-of-10 faceoffs against Hofstra (2/9), including a perfect 4-of-4 in the fourth quarter … Strong start to the season, winning 14-of-20 faceoffs vs. NJIT (2/2), including 13 of final 17. Added 10 groundballs … Named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
AS A SOPHOMORE (2018): Another tremendous season, earning first team All-Patriot League honors … Shared first team faceoff laurels with Navy’s Joe Varello; Gaffney beat Varello in both the regular season (13-of-21) and Patriot League Semifinals (12-of-23) … Finished season No. 1 in the Patriot League with a 59.4 percentage (214-of-360), good for 14th nationally … Posted 101 groundballs, standing 17th in the country in groundballs per game (5.94) … GB total was second in school history while 59.4 percentage was fourth … 214 faceoff wins were by far a school record, shattering previous record of 173 held by Ryan Snyder … Named Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year … Earned first team Academic All-District by CoSIDA and third team Academic All-America … Won 50 percent or more of his faceoffs in 14-of-17 games … Was a four-time Patriot League Faceoff Specialist of the Week, including a stretch of three straight awards in March … Won 14-of-24 faceoffs with six groundballs in the Patriot League Championship Game at No. 6/8 Loyola (4/29) … Impressed in Patriot League Semifinals against No. 11/13 Navy (4/27), winning 12-of-23 faceoffs against the league’s Faceoff Specialist of the Year Joe Varello. Gaffney was a perfect 5-of-5 in the fourth quarter and overtime … Won 10-of-18 faceoffs with four groundballs in the Patriot League Quarterfinals vs. Colgate (4/24) … Strong once again, winning 14-of-20 faceoffs with three groundballs at No. 11/12 Bucknell (4/20) … Was 16-of-23 facing off with nine groundballs against No. 9/11 Cornell (4/14), facing Paul Rasimowicz who entered the day at 54.8 percent on the year … Finished 8-of-17 facing off, including a perfect 3-of-3 in the fourth quarter to lead Lehigh to dramatic win at Boston University (3/31). Collected six groundballs … Won 13-of-21 faceoff vs. Navy (3/24), facing the Mids’ Joe Varello, who entered the day at 63.2 percent on the season … Another strong game at No. 18/19 Hofstra (3/20), winning 15-of-24 faceoffs against an opponent Kyle Gallagher, who won 61.8 percent of his draws entering the day … Stellar at Lafayette (3/17), winning 17-of-20 faceoffs with 10 groundballs (all in the first half). Also posted first-career point, an assist … Won 11-of-19 faceoffs, including a perfect 4-of-4 in the fourth quarter, against No. 18/16 Rutgers (3/14) … Impressed at No. 12 Army West Point (3/10), winning 12-of-20 faceoffs with three groundballs. Won nine of his final 16 draws, including 6-of-8 in the middle two quarters … Won 10 of his final 15 faceoffs to finish 11-of-20 with four groundballs against Colgate (3/3) … Finished 12-of-19 in the faceoff circle with eight groundballs vs. Holy Cross (2/24) … Won 11-of-26 faceoffs with seven groundballs at No. 13/14 North Carolina (2/17) … Another strong effort, winning 14-of-23 faceoffs with four groundballs at Mercer (2/10) … Won 5-of-6 in the second quarter to help turn a 6-5 deficit into a 9-7 halftime lead … Stellar in season opener vs. NJIT (2/3), winning 18-of-25 faceoffs including 12 of last 13. Added 12 groundballs and a caused turnover … Named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
AS A FRESHMAN (2017): Stellar freshman campaign, finishing eighth nationally in faceoff percentage (.610) and fifth in groundballs in per game (8.00) … Finished season winning 139-of-228 draws while collecting a team-high 96 groundballs … Won double-figure faceoffs in nine of 12 games played … Was named Patriot League Faceoff Specialist of the Week three times and Rookie of the Week on four occasions … Stellar in the Patriot League Quarterfinals at No. 18/19 Boston University (4/25), winning 12-of-18 faceoffs with eight groundballs … Won 9-of-19 faceoffs with six groundballs in regular season finale vs. Bucknell (4/21) … Stellar in return from injury at Cornell (4/15), winning 19-of-23 faceoffs with 11 groundballs. 19 faceoff wins tied a career high … Strong once again, this time vs. Lafayette (3/18), winning 14-of-22 faceoffs with 12 groundballs. Was rewarded with Patriot League Rookie of the Week honors for a fourth time this season … Impressed at Colgate (3/5), winning 16-of-20 faceoffs with 12 groundballs. Because of his efforts, was named Patriot League Faceoff Specialist, and Rookie, of the Week for the second time … Stellar in Patriot League opener at Holy Cross (2/25), winning 17-of-22 faceoffs with 13 groundballs. After losing three of his first five, won 15 of his final 17 attempts … Very solid effort at No. 2/3 North Carolina, facing UNC All-American Stephen Kelly. Finished 11-of-23 on the day, including nine of his last 15. Added six groundballs … Won 12-of-24 faceoffs at Jacksonville (2/11) along with seven groundballs to earn Patriot League Rookie of the Week for the second straight week … Stellar collegiate debut, winning 19-of-22 faceoffs with 16 groundballs against NJIT (2/4). The 19 faceoff wins were most by a Lehigh player since Will Scudder at Bucknell in 2009. The 16 groundballs were also most by any Lehigh player in Kevin Cassese’s 10-year tenure as head coach. Was awarded both Patriot League Rookie and Faceoff Specialist of the Week … Named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
BEFORE LEHIGH: Four-time first team All-Olympic Conference member at Lenape High School … Was also a three-time first team All-Burlington County honoree … Twice named first team All-South Jersey, also twice earning All-State and All-America recognition … Was an Under Armour Underclass All-American for New Jersey and MVP of the 2013 Best of the Best Team Showcase for Duke’s LC … Two-time team captain for Lenape Lacrosse and runner up for South Jersey Player of the Year … In 2016, was the Olympic Conference, and Burlington County, Player of the Year … A multi-sport athlete, was a three-year varsity letterwinner in football, earning second team All-Conference as a junior and first team All-Conference as a senior … Lenape football “Hammer” award winner, also garnering South Jersey first team laurels … First team All-Academic honoree as a senior … Was the 2015 South Jersey Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year … Impressive in the classroom, posted a 6.0 weighted GPA (4.0 unweighted) … Finished tied for first in his class, was the Senior Male Outstanding, and Student-Athlete of the Year.
CAREER STATISTICS
| Season | GP-GS | G | A | Pts | Shots | Shot% | SOG | SOG% | GB | TO | CT | Faceoff | Pct. |
| 2017 | 12-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | .000 | 3 | .600 | 96 | 19 | 1 | 139-228 | .610 |
| 2018 | 17-0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | .000 | 1 | .250 | 101 | 12 | 4 | 214-360 | .594 |
| 2019 | 17-0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 | .250 | 7 | .875 | 152 | 22 | 1 | 249-357 | .697 |
| 2020 | 6-0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | -- | 0 | -- | 42 | 6 | 0 | 67-102 | .657 |
| 2021 | 8-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | .000 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 17-34 | .500 |
| Totals | 60-0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 17 | .118 | 11 | .647 | 401 | 59 | 7 | 686-1081 | .635 |
CAREER HIGHS
Groundballs: 4 vs. VMI (2/20/20)
Caused Turnovers: 2 vs. Boston University (5/3/19)
GETTING TO KNOW CONOR
Nickname: Gaff
What’s your favorite thing about Lehigh? All the people who I have become friends with.
Major & Why: Engineering because I enjoy solving problems using math and physics.
Favorite Class at Lehigh: Calculus
Favorite Place on Campus: Hawk’s Nest
Favorite Food: Steak
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Musical Artist: Coldplay
Favorite Movie: Friday Night Lights
Favorite TV Show: Game of Thrones
Favorite Website: YouTube
Favorite Sports Broadcaster: Mike Mayock
Favorite Pro Team: Baltimore Ravens
Favorite Athlete In Another Sport: Luke Keuchley
Hobbies: Skiing, lifting, going to the beach
Magazine Cover I'd Like To Be On: Sports Illustrated
Place I'd Like To Visit: Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Talent I’d Most Like To Have: Being able to run fast
Dream Job: CEO
I Wear My Jersey Number Because: It was my dad’s football number, so I picked it as my football number in youth and high school since he was such a big influence on me and my athletic career.
If I Didn't Play Lacrosse, I Would Play: Football
If I Had $1 Billion, I Would: Buy cars and ski a lot
Lehigh Sports Central: Men's Lacrosse
Thursday, April 24
2025 Season Preview: Men's Lacrosse
Friday, January 31
Lehigh Sports Central: Men's Lacrosse
Wednesday, April 10
