Four Golden Bears Selected to Compete in NEILA East-West Senior All-Star Game
WNE assistant Andrew Deane will serve on coaching staff for West squad
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (May 29, 2018) – Four members of the Western New England University men's lacrosse team have been selected to compete in the New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (NEILA) East-West Senior All-Star Game on Friday, June 1st at Penmen Stadium on the campus of Southern New Hampshire University.
Western New England midfielders Nicholas Beauchamp (Wilbraham, Mass.) and Marc Fiocco (Somers, N.Y.), defenseman Connor Gilgen (Ridgewood, N.J.) and goalie Steven Kerr (Hopkinton, Mass.) will represent the Golden Bears in the contest, which features the top graduating student-athletes from Division I, II and III programs in New England.
The NEILA East-West game also gives assistant coaches from some of the top programs in the region the opportunity to take the reins as the coaching staffs of each team. Third-year Western New England assistant Andrew Deane will serve as one of three coaches for the West squad.
Beauchamp, who played in the USILA North-South All-Star Game on Friday at Providence College, capped his career with his second straight All-Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) selection this spring. He led the Golden Bears with 57 points on 34 goals and 23 assists while also compiling 24 ground balls.
Kerr, a USILA All-America Honorable Mention selection this season, posted career-bests with a 9.93 goals against average and a 55.6 save percentage, while racking up 10+ saves on 12 occasions.
Gilgen and Fiocco both garnered All-CCC second team accolades at the conclusion of the 2018 campaign. Gilgen started 19 of 20 games this year, causing nine turnovers to go with 18 ground balls. Fiocco totaled 27 ground balls, 11 caused turnovers and seven points (three goals, four assists).
All players and coaches were nominated by the head coaches within the NEILA. Players were then ranked and selected by a committee awarding seniors from all three NCAA Divisions who played their college career in the New England region.
"The NEILA recognizes these terrific student-athletes for their accomplishments over their entire playing careers. To be selected for the East-West All-Star game means that you have been a star not just this year, but throughout your four years in New England collegiate lacrosse," said Tim Murphy, head coach of Curry College and coordinator of the East-West All-Star team selection.
Opening faceoff is set for 6:30 p.m. on Friday night at Penmen Stadium in Hooksett, N.H.
