May 24, 2012
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Two Nittany Lion men's lacrosse players earned USILA Division I All-America recognition, as sophomore goalkeeper Austin Kaut (Morton) earned third-team honors and senior attackman Matthew Mackrides (Newtown Square) was named an honorable mention.
With third-team recognition, Kaut became the 30th Nittany Lion in program history and first since Rob Bateman in 2003 to be selected to an All-America Team.
An honorable mention selection a season ago, Kaut continued his stellar play in 2012 as he is near the top of the NCAA leaderboard in several statistical categories. The Morton, Pa., native ranks sixth in the NCAA in save percentage (.584) and is 10th in goals-against average (7.93) and saves per game (11.13).
The All-CAA First Team honoree recorded at least 10 saves in nine games, highlighted by a season-high 18 stops in a 4-3 overtime victory against then-No.2/4 Notre Dame. Kaut was also tabbed a nominee for the Tewaaraton Award, which is presented to the top men's and women's collegiate lacrosse players.
A native of Newtown Square, Pa., Mackrides was tabbed an All-America honorable mention for the first time in his career. The three-time All-CAA First Team member led the team with 30 goals and four man-up markers, while tying for the team lead in points (42). The senior tri-captain, who was selected as a finalist for the prestigious Lowe's Senior CLASS Award, recorded at least one point in each game and notched five straight hat tricks from March 31-April 28.
Mackrides concluded his four-year career as one of the most prolific scorers in Penn State history. The attackman led his team in goals during his final three seasons and notched 101 career goals, good for a tie for fourth on the program's all-time list. He also added 43 career assists for 144 points, which rank sixth in school history.
In 2012, Penn State finished 9-6 overall and 5-1 in conference play during head coach Jeff Tambroni's second year at the program's helm. The Nittany Lions secured a berth in the CAA semifinals for the second straight year and defeated its highest ranked opponent in program history with a win against Notre Dame. Penn State was also ranked in the top 10 in both the USILA coaches and Inside Lacrosse media polls for the first time in program history on March 5.