University of Massachusets Athletics
Three Men's Lacrosse Alumni Complete Major League Lacrosse Seasons
July 27, 2020 | Men's Lacrosse
Ben Spencer wins 2020 MLL Championship with the Boston Cannons franchise
AMHERST, Mass. - Three members of the University of Massachusetts men's lacrosse program provided impact performances for their respective Major League Lacrosse franchises during the recently-completed MLL season. Noah Rak and Sean Sconone started at faceoff and goalie, respectively, for the Connecticut Hammerheads while Ben Spencer played in impactful role as a two-way midfielder for the Boston Cannons.Â
Spencer and the Cannons won the MLL Championship with a 13-9 victory over the Denver Outlaws on Sun., July 26. The Danville, California, native and four-year letterman at UMass (2016-19) had a goal and assist during the title game. Spencer had two goals and as many assists, with four groundballs as well, during six games played. He had at least one point in three of the team's four victories.
Rak won 34-of-58 faceoffs (.586), scooped 18 groundballs, scored twice and had one caused turnover as Connecticut's primary faceoff specialist in its first three games before suffering an injury. His top individual effort came in the 10-8 win that jump-started the Hammerheads success following an 0-2 start. Rak went 13-for-20 on faceoffs with six groundballs and a caused turnover during the victory.
Sconone - selected as Connecticut's captain - played all 300 minutes in net for the Hammerheads. He posted an 11.40 goals-against average, .571 save percentage, 23 groundballs and four caused turnovers. He was instrumental in the team securing a playoff berth with a 22-save outing against the Cannons that earned him MLL Player of the Game.
After an undisclosed on-site individual tested positive for COVID-19 prior to the Sat., July 25 semifinal round, Connecticut and it's opponent, Chesapeake, opted to withdraw from the tournament as a safety precaution. As a result, No. 1 seed Denver and No. 4 see Boston squared off for the championship the following day.Â
Massachusetts has two additional alumni competing professionally currently in the Premier Lacrosse League. Will Manny starts at attack for Archers LC while Isaac Paparo plays long-stick midfielder and close defense for Whipsnakes LC.Â
Follow Massachusetts men's lacrosse on Twitter (@UMassMLacrosse), Instagram (@UMassMLAX) and Facebook (/UMassMensLacrosse).
Spencer and the Cannons won the MLL Championship with a 13-9 victory over the Denver Outlaws on Sun., July 26. The Danville, California, native and four-year letterman at UMass (2016-19) had a goal and assist during the title game. Spencer had two goals and as many assists, with four groundballs as well, during six games played. He had at least one point in three of the team's four victories.
Rak won 34-of-58 faceoffs (.586), scooped 18 groundballs, scored twice and had one caused turnover as Connecticut's primary faceoff specialist in its first three games before suffering an injury. His top individual effort came in the 10-8 win that jump-started the Hammerheads success following an 0-2 start. Rak went 13-for-20 on faceoffs with six groundballs and a caused turnover during the victory.
Sconone - selected as Connecticut's captain - played all 300 minutes in net for the Hammerheads. He posted an 11.40 goals-against average, .571 save percentage, 23 groundballs and four caused turnovers. He was instrumental in the team securing a playoff berth with a 22-save outing against the Cannons that earned him MLL Player of the Game.
After an undisclosed on-site individual tested positive for COVID-19 prior to the Sat., July 25 semifinal round, Connecticut and it's opponent, Chesapeake, opted to withdraw from the tournament as a safety precaution. As a result, No. 1 seed Denver and No. 4 see Boston squared off for the championship the following day.Â
Massachusetts has two additional alumni competing professionally currently in the Premier Lacrosse League. Will Manny starts at attack for Archers LC while Isaac Paparo plays long-stick midfielder and close defense for Whipsnakes LC.Â
Follow Massachusetts men's lacrosse on Twitter (@UMassMLacrosse), Instagram (@UMassMLAX) and Facebook (/UMassMensLacrosse).
Players Mentioned
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