Former UMass men's lacrosse all-American Anthony Biscardi (2009-12) and rising-sophomore Nick Mariano were named to the 2014 Vail Shootout All-Tournament Team after they helped lead their squad, On The Hop Nation/Lacrossewear, to the Vail Lacrosse Shootout Men's Elite Championship.
Biscardi and Mariano, both playing attack during the title game, combined for five goals to help their team earn a 12-8 win to secure the championship.
Related Coverage
Lacrossewear Prevails, Team STX Repeats at Vail Shootout | Lacrosse Magazine
Check out more on the Vail Lacrosse Shootout through the event's website here. Keep up-to-date with UMass men's lacrosse via UMassAthletics.com.
All eight Major League Lacrosse teams announced their 2014 opening day rosters recently, with 10 Minutemen listed. Check out who is set to compete during the upcoming MLL season below:
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| Minutemen On Major League Lacrosse Rosters |
| Minuteman | Years At UMass | MLL Team | Years Pro |
| Anthony Biscardi | 2009-12 | Charlotte Hounds | Third |
| Jim Connolly | 2006-09 | Ohio Machine | Fifth |
| Brett Garber | 2004-07 | Florida Launch | Eighth |
| Diogo Godoi | 2006-10 | Boston Cannons | Sixth |
| Ryan Hollenbaugh | 2010-13 | Boston Cannons | Second |
| Kevin Leveille | 2000-03 | Rochester Rattlers | 10th |
| Will Manny | 2010-13 | Boston Cannons | Second |
| Jack Reid | 2003-06 | Boston Cannons | Ninth |
| Jake Smith | 2010-13 | Charlotte Hounds | Second |
| Kyle Smith | 2010-13 | Boston Cannons | First |
More on Major League Lacrosse is available through the organization's website. Keep up to date with everything related to UMass men's lacrosse on UMassAthletics.com.
With the Major League Lacrosse season underway, select UMass men's lacrosse alumni are continuing their playing careers at the next level of competition. Here is a recap of how a few of the Minutemen performed in their most recent contest as well as an update on their season totals:
Kevin Leveille (2000-03) produced four points on two goals and a pair of assists to go with a pair of groundballs during
Rochester's victory over the Ohio Machine. Leveille now owns eight points on five goals and three assists this season in five appearances with the club. The MLL veteran with nine years in the league bumped his career totals to 321 points on 248 goals (including a pair of two-point goals) and 71 assists spread over 96 appearances.
Will Manny (2009-12), playing in his first professional contest,
earned one goal for the Boston Cannons against Denver while scooping up a pair of groundballs.
Jim Connolly (2006-09) secured one assist for the Machine in their contest against Rochester, also chipping in a pair of groundballs. Connolly has four points on a trio of goals and one assist in four appearances on the year, his third playing in the MLL.
Diogo Godoi (2006-10) helped out the
Ohio defensive effort against Rochester with a two groundballs scooped up. Godoi has totaled four groundballs in five appearances this season, his fourth in the MLL since graduating for UMass.
Other Minutemen competing in Major League Lacrosse this season include
Anthony Biscardi (2009-12),
Tom Celentani (2009-12),
Brett Garber (2004-07),
Tim McCormack (2008-12),
Mark Millon (1990-93),
Jack Reid (2003-06) and
Jake Smith (2010-13).
Entering his senior campaign this spring, Anthony Biscardi was drafted by Major League Lacrosse's Ohio Machine. He joined the squad following the season teaming up with former Minutemen Jim Connolly and Brett Garber. The Machine posted a Q&A with Anthony this week on their web site.
In the March 19 edition of the USILA Coaches Poll, UMass holds steady at No. 3 in the nation for the second straight week. In the Nike Media Poll, the Minutemen also remain at No. 4 following the 9-8 OT win at No. 14 Penn State on Saturday.
In Quint Kessenich's weekly breakdown of the polls, he has this to say about UMass:
3 UMass -- The Minutemen had their first close shave, beating Penn State in overtime. Greg Cannella's team is getting offensive production from Will Manny, Art Kell, Kyle Smith and Anthony Biscardi. Stopper Tim McCormack (.615) ranks fourth nationally in save percentage.
The 2012 Men's Tewaaraton Award Watch List was announced yesterday with UMass' Anthony Biscardi among the initial names up for the award. In late April, the list will be narrowed to 25 players which will be the official group of nominees for college lacrosse's highest honor.
Chuck Jaffe of the New England Lacrosse Journal has a season-preview on several Division I lacrosse programs in the area including UMass.
UMass senior attack/midfielder Anthony Biscardi and senior defenseman Tom Celentani were both selected yesterday evening in the 2012 Major League Lacrosse Draft.
Biscardi was taken in the second round (16th pick overall) by the Ohio Machine, while Celentani was picked by the Denver Outlaws in the fourth round (30th overall).
The Minutemen will begin the 2012 season on February 10 at Army in West Point, N.Y.
Corey McLaughlin of LaxMagazine.com has a preview of Major League Lacrosse's draft which will be held today.
McLaughlin says two Minutemen should be on the draft board: Anthony Biscardi at attack and Tom Celentani on defense.
For complete coverage and a live blog of the draft, visit www.majorleaguelacrosse.com:
On the first day of December, we wish Happy Birthday to lacrosse juniors
Anthony Biscardi, and
Dayna Defliese and basketball sophomore
Freddie Riley.
