University of Massachusets Athletics
Karaska Awarded NEILA All-Region at Close Defense
May 10, 2016 | Men's Lacrosse
2016 NEILA All-Region Team Selections 
NEWTON, Mass. - Recent University of Massachusetts graduate and four-year men's lacrosse standout Kyle Karaska was selected for the New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (NEILA) All-New England Second Team in recognition of his 2016 season performance, as announced by NEILA on Tuesday.
"I am proud to say this is the second consecutive year for Kyle to be part of this All-New England team," head coach Greg Cannella said. "Kyle has been a consistent force on defense here at the University of Massachusetts, in New England and across the nation for the last three years."
Karaska led all Minutemen with 21 caused turnovers for an average of 1.6 per game, the most among CAA competitors and tied for 17th in NCAA Division I lacrosse entering the 2016 postseason. Karaska ended the season emphatically with eight groundballs and as many caused turnovers during the last three games (2.7 per contest), which he finished with 22 groundballs over the 13-game slate. It marked his third consecutive season with 20 or more groundballs.
The honor is Karaska's second from NEILA after he was placed on its all-region squad as a junior in 2015. He also picked up All-CAA First Team in 2015 and 2016 after a second team laurel as a sophomore (2014).
For his career, Karaska earned the rare honor of being a four-year starter for Cannella. After he did not compete in the first game of his freshman season, Karaska stepped into the lineup as an injury replacement the next contest and was named a starter the following week. He did not relinquish his role on defense for the remainder of his career en route to 55 consecutive games played, including 54 started.
For continued coverage of UMass men's lacrosse, follow the team on Twitter (@UMassMLacrosse) and Instagram (UMassMLAX).
