University of Massachusets Athletics
Minutemen Collect Half-Dozen CAA Men's Lacrosse Honors
May 04, 2016 | Men's Lacrosse
RICHMOND, Va. - University of Massachusetts men's lacrosse took home six awards from the Colonial Athletic Association on Wednesday, including a first team all-conference selection, second team honoree, three all-rookie awards and one of the six all-academic laurels.
Kyle Karaska was selected for the All-CAA First Team at close defense while Isaac Paparo, a freshman, earned the second team spot at long-stick midfielder. Paparo was also named to the all-rookie squad alongside two teammates in goalie Sean Sconone and midfielder Ben Spencer. Close defense starter and finance major Kevin Porzelt was tabbed to the six-man CAA All-Academic Team.
Karaska led the Minutemen and currently ranks tops among CAA competitors in caused turnovers per game (1.50). He had one or more in 10 of 13 games played during 2016 with at least a groundball in 11 contests. The Groton, Massachusetts, native previously earned All-CAA First Team as a junior in 2015 when he was also a NEILA All-Region choice. The CAA also lauded him with all-conference second team in 2014.
Paparo was one of only three long-stick midfielders lauded by the CAA this season. The freshman from Westport, Connecticut, made an impact on both ends of the field as he provided 27 groundballs and six caused turnovers to go with five points via two goals and three assists. He was the highest scoring UMass long-stick midfielder since Jake Deane notched nine points in 2006 when Deane also played as the main faceoff specialist.
Sconone started in goal during the last five games with 317:07 played on the year including time in two relief appearances. He notched double-digit saves in four of his five starts and averaged 11.2 per game as the starter. The freshman recorded a 9.46 goals-against average and .558 save percentage as the team's starter during CAA play and helped his own cause on defense with 10 groundballs and three caused turnovers.
Spencer ran with the first and second team midfield lines during his first season donning the Maroon and White. He finished tied for third on the team and tied for first among midfielders with 17 points via 12 goals and five assists. Spencer had at least one point in 10 of 13 games played, including the final seven of the season.
Porzelt will graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance. The Cold Spring Harbor, New York, native previously earned CAA recognition for his work in the classroom in 2014 with a spot on the CAA Academic Achievement Award listing. In tandem with his scholastic success, Porzelt produced a banner year on the field for the Minutemen as a senior with personal bests in groundballs (33) and caused turnovers (16).
For more information on UMass men's lacrosse and to keep up with the program throughout the season, follow the Minutemen on Twitter (@UMassMLacrosse) and Instagram (@UMassMLAX).
