PDF Release
NEC Player of the Week: Corson Kealey, RMU
NEC Defensive Player of the Week: Alex Heger, RMU
NEC Rookie of the Week: Derrek Madonna, HOB
Previous NEC Releases: April 8 | April 1 | March 25 | March 18 | March 11 | March 4 | February 25 | February 18 | February 11 | Preseason Poll Release 


NEC MEN’S LACROSSE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Corson Kealey, Robert Morris
So., A, Ottawa, Ontario/Everest Academy 
Kealey picked up his third Player of the Week honor this season after posting five goals and two assists in victories over #17 Lehigh and Cleveland State. Kealey recorded his third straight hat trick, and sixth of the season in Wednesday’s win over the Mountain Hawks. After Lehigh scored twice in the opening minute of the game, Kealey helped answer with back to back goals to tie the game at two. He would strike again midway through the third quarter, capping off a 5-0 run that gave the Colonials the lead for good, with an unassisted tally to put Robert Morris up by three. In Saturday’s outing against Cleveland State, Kealey scored twice more, as part of a 9-0 Colonial run. The sophomore attackman is tied for the league lead with 36 goals on the season and is amongst the nation’s leaders in goals per game (3.00).

NEC MEN’S LACROSSE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Alex Heger, Robert Morris
Sr., G, Carmel, IN/Carmel 
Heger made a season-high 18 saves, including back to back stops with just over a minute to play, to preserve Robert Morris’ 13-12 victory against #17 Lehigh. Trailing by a goal, with 1:12 remaining, Lehigh’s Alex Tumminello fired a shot from long range that was stopped by Heger. The rebound came back out in front of the cage and was scooped up by Tumminello for a second chance from close range, only to be denied by Heger’s stick. The 18 saves were the second most for the senior goalkeeper in a regular season non-conference game behind his 19 saves at Virginia in 2017. Three days later against Cleveland State, the Carmel, IN native made more 12 stops and allowed only eight goals, his third time in the last four games with single digit goals allowed. Heger has been the NEC’s defensive standout two out of the last three weeks, and currently stands third in the league with 12.58 saves per game.

NEC MEN’S LACROSSE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Derrek Madonna, Hobart 
Fr. M, Syracuse, NY/East Syracuse-Minoa
Madonna was the lucky star on Saturday for Hobart, scoring three times to help lead the Statesmen to a 12-11 victory over Bryant. Madonna’s first goal tied the game at four nearly midway through the second quarter. His second tally was in a man-up situation with 11:46 to play in the fourth quarter to give Hobart their first lead of the game at 10-9. His final score came in the clutch, with 4:54 to play in regulation, and tied the game at 11. Madonna has been into the groove as of late, recording hat tricks in each of his last three games. The Syracuse, NY native has scored 20 goals on the season, the second most goals for a freshman in the league behind teammate Jason Knox.  

AROUND THE NEC
With the 2019 Northeast Conference Men’s Lacrosse Championships a little more than two weeks away, the push for the postseason is on. Mount St. Mary’s improved to 4-0 in conference play with a 12-8 victory over Wagner, equaling their best ever start in conference play from back in 2011. Despite the unblemished record and the top spot in the standings, nothing is yet assured. Remaining regular season games against Hobart and Saint Joseph’s will decide the Mountaineers fate, as they aim not only make the tournament, but possibly serve as host for the first time since the very first conference tournament. 
 
Hobart bounced back after a pair of setbacks last week with a 12-11 victory over Bryant. Statesmen junior Eric Holden scored what would be the game winning goal with 2:48 remaining in regulation. 
 
The Sacred Heart Pioneers had what might have been the most eye-popping win of the weekend, with a commanding 19-4 victory over Saint Joseph’s, the largest NEC victory in program history. The Pioneers held the Hawks scoreless for over 32 minutes and outscored the Hawks 14-1 over the final 47 minutes of play. The 19 goals is the second most goals scored in an NEC game in Pioneer program history. 
 
Robert Morris picked up a pair of non-conference victories, including a 13-12 win last Wednesday over nationally ranked, #17 Lehigh. Matt Schmidt scored what would be the game winning goal with 6:55 remaining, while goalkeeper Alex Heger stopped a furious Lehigh rally in the final minute to preserve the win. The Colonials have won their last four straight, and find themselves in a tie with Saint Joseph’s for the fourth and final playoff position. 
 
This week, the top two teams in the standings will tangle in the Empire State for a mega-matchup as Mount St. Mary’s visits Hobart. Sacred Heart will play host to Binghamton in non-conference action on Tuesday, while Robert Morris will return to conference play in Rhode Island against Bryant on Saturday. 


NEC PRIME PERFORMERS

Zach Coffey, BRY – JR – LSM
*The long-stick midfielder contributed on both the offensive and defensive end, matching a career high with two goals scored against Hobart, while adding three ground balls and a career high three caused turnovers. 
 
Brendan Doyle, MSM – JR – M/A 
*Registered a game-high five points in Saturday’s victory over Wagner. Scored a key fourth quarter goal, while adding a season-high four assists. 
 
Brooks Dutton, SHU – JR – G
*Allowed a career-low four goals while making 13 saves against Saint Joseph’s. The Pioneers matched a program record for fewest goals allowed in a conference game. Has recorded double-digit saves in a career-high five straight games. 
 
Mike Eveland, RMU – SR – D
*Led RMU with eight ground balls on the week, including four in Wednesday’s upset win at #17 Lehigh. Caused two turnovers and scored his first career goal on Saturday against Cleveland State.   
 
Alex Heger, RMU – SR – G 
*Made a season-high 18 saves, including back to back stops withjust over a minute to play, to preserve Robert Morris’ 13-12 victory against #17 Lehigh. Made 12 stops and allowed only eight goals, against Cleveland State. Is third in the league with 12.58 saves per game. 
 
Eric Holden, HOB – JR – A 
*Led the Statesmen with four goals in Hobart’s 12-11 victory over Bryant, his fourth game this year with four or more goals. Scored three times in the second half, including the game winner with 2:48 remaining. 
 
Corson Kealey, RMU – SO – A
*Scored three goals and added an assist in Wednesday’s win over #17 Lehigh, his sixth hat trick of the season. Against Cleveland State, Kealey tied for the team lead with three points on the afternoon, recording two goals and an assist. 
 
Derrek Madonna, HOB – FR – M 
*Scored three goals against Bryant, his third straight game with a hat trick. Has the second most goals for a freshman in the league this season with 20. 
 
Joe Saggese, SHU – SR – A
*Matched a career high with five goals against the Hawks. Has recorded a point in 43 straight games, tied for the fifth longest active streak in the country. His 36 goals lead the NEC. 
 
Max Tuttle, SHU – SR – M 
*Scored four goals on Saturday against Saint Joseph’s, his fifth game this season with four or more goals. His 31 goals are tied for fourth most in the NEC.