Photo by: Scott Thomas
Jake Ward Named NEC Rookie of the Year
5/4/2022 11:55:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
Donovan Lacey and Morgan O’Reilly named Second Team All-NEC.
SOMERSET, N.J. – Putting the cherry on top of a record-breaking season, Sacred Heart University's Jake Ward highlighted the men's lacrosse All-Northeast Conference list as he was named Rookie of the Year on Wednesday. The Pioneers also placed Donovan Lacey and Morgan O'Reilly on Second Team.
The second NEC Rookie of the Year in program history, Ward set a program and conference record with seven Rookie of the Week nods. Tim Caton '14 was the first Pioneer to earn the honor in 2011. The Highlands Ranch, Colo. native ranked third in the conference and seventh nationally amongst first-year players with a .410 shot percentage. Ward accumulated 17 goals and nine assists at attack and had a career performance in SHU's 14-10 victory at UMass Lowell with four points off three goals and one assist.
Lacey earned his second-straight All-NEC distinction after a First Team honor a year ago. The Brookeville, Md. product was one of the top Pioneers in ground balls (29) and caused turnovers (9). Appearing in all 13 games as a defensive midfielder, Lacey posted a career-high of six ground balls against Mount St. Mary's and helped lead the Pioneers to a 13-10 victory over in-state foe Quinnipiac with a season-best three points (one goal, two assists).
After netting just six goals last season, O'Reilly led the team with 28 and is one of 13 players nationally to post a scoring streak of at least 15 games. In seven of the 13 contests this season, the sophomore midfielder posted multi-goal games including back-to-back five-goal performances against Fairfield and Providence. The Rockville Center, N.Y. native also led the team with 52 shots on goal and 39 points thanks to an added 11 assists.
The second NEC Rookie of the Year in program history, Ward set a program and conference record with seven Rookie of the Week nods. Tim Caton '14 was the first Pioneer to earn the honor in 2011. The Highlands Ranch, Colo. native ranked third in the conference and seventh nationally amongst first-year players with a .410 shot percentage. Ward accumulated 17 goals and nine assists at attack and had a career performance in SHU's 14-10 victory at UMass Lowell with four points off three goals and one assist.
Lacey earned his second-straight All-NEC distinction after a First Team honor a year ago. The Brookeville, Md. product was one of the top Pioneers in ground balls (29) and caused turnovers (9). Appearing in all 13 games as a defensive midfielder, Lacey posted a career-high of six ground balls against Mount St. Mary's and helped lead the Pioneers to a 13-10 victory over in-state foe Quinnipiac with a season-best three points (one goal, two assists).
After netting just six goals last season, O'Reilly led the team with 28 and is one of 13 players nationally to post a scoring streak of at least 15 games. In seven of the 13 contests this season, the sophomore midfielder posted multi-goal games including back-to-back five-goal performances against Fairfield and Providence. The Rockville Center, N.Y. native also led the team with 52 shots on goal and 39 points thanks to an added 11 assists.
Players Mentioned
Jake Ward
Wednesday, April 30
Cayden Brodnax
Tuesday, April 08
Saige Harper Paris 2024
Tuesday, April 16
Behind the Boards (MIH): Season 2, Episode 13
Friday, March 08
