LATHAM, N.Y. - The North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) has announced it's 2021 Men's Lacrosse All-Conference Teams as well as its major award winners. All-Conference is composed of two teams, each comprised of three attackmen, three midfielders, three defenders, one long-stick midfielder, one short-stick midfielder, one faceoff specialist and one goalie. The conference has also awarded the Offensive Player of the Year, the Defensive Player of the Year, the Rookie of the Year and the Coach of the Year.

Dylan LaPlace anchored SUNY Morrisville's defense all season long, helping the goaltender earn Defensive Player of the Year honors. The freshman boasted not only the conference's top save percentage, but also the best in all of Division III (72.7%). LaPlace's goals-against average has also reached the national spotlight as his average of just 5.01 is low enough for third best in the country. The Chester, Conn. native also has accumulated a NEAC-high 80 saves this season, including a season-high 24 against SUNY Potsdam.

Zach Nestor was a constant problem for opposing defenses, earning him the title of the Offensive Player of the Year. The sophomore was constantly opening up the field and making plays for the Mustangs, finishing the regular season with a conference-leading 15 assists. He'd also tack on 11 goals, giving him the third most points in the league with 26. Nestor wasn't afraid to go after the 50-50 balls either as he ended the regular season with 11 groundballs.

Rookie of the Year Daniel Jackson looked anything but a rookie as he helped shape the Wildcat offense in its first year of existence. The midfielder found the back of the net 14 times which ranked third among all NEAC players. He also assisted on nine for a total of 23 total points, ranking him fourth in the conference. In the penultimate week of the regular season, Jackson was tabbed the NEAC Offensive Player of the Week as well.

In just the program's first year of existence, Penn College's Jordan Williams was tabbed the NEAC Coach of the Year. Williams led his squad to a 4-1 record, capturing the two seed in the NEAC Championship. He prided the Wildcats on their man-up offense as their 48.4% conversion rating ranks 20th among all programs in Division III. Williams also guided nine players to All-Conference honors, including the NEAC Rookie of the Year.

 

Offensive Player of the Year - Zach Nestor | SUNY Morrisville

Defensive Player of the Year - Dylan Laplace | SUNY Morrisville

Rookie of the Year - Daniel Jackson | Penn College

Coach of the Year - Jordan Williams | Penn College

 

All-Conference First Team

Attack: Quinn Caviola | Penn College

Attack: Liam Doyle | Hilbert College

Attack: Zach Nestor | SUNY Morrisville

Midfield: Daniel Jackson | Penn College

Midfield: Dante Patriarco | SUNY Morrisville

Midfield: Evan Kistner | SUNY Morrisville

Midfield: Ryan Spath | Hilbert College

Faceoff: Soren Bredeson | SUNY Morrisville

SSM: Willie Burns | SUNY Morrisville

LSM: Zack Mabry | SUNY Morrisville

Defense: Kyle Farrell | SUNY Morrisville

Defense: Paul Tocci | SUNY Morrisville

Defense: Benjamin Guaragno | Penn College 

Defense: Angelo Varcadipane | Penn College

Goalie: Dylan LaPlace | SUNY Morrisville

 

All-Conference Second Team

Attack: Roman Reiss | SUNY Morrisville

Attack: Stephen Lepore | Penn College

Attack: Jacob Stine | Wells College

Midfield: Quinten Battle | Wells College

Midfield: Alex Nowak | SUNY Morrisville

Midfield: Danny Harkins | Penn College

Faceoff: Dylan Klemas | Penn College

SSM: Trevor Stein | Wells College

LSM: Isaac Hernandez | Penn College

Defense: Travis Kilanowski | Hilbert College

Defense: Justin Dude | Wells College

Defense: Mitch Bliss | SUNY Morrisville

Goalie: Andrew Gobbi | Penn College

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The North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) has eight NCAA Division III member institutions which include: Gallaudet University, Lancaster Bible College, Morrisville State, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Harrisburg, and Wells College. The NEAC also includes one associate member in Rutgers University – Camden (M Golf). The NEAC has also partnered with the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference in the sports of men's and women's lacrosse and the North Atlantic Conference in men's tennis and women's tennis. For more information, please visit: www.neacsports.com.