May 4, 2012
RICHMOND, Va. - Six members of the Penn State men's lacrosse team have earned All-CAA honors, the conference office announced Friday.
Senior attackman Matthew Mackrides (Newtown Square) was tabbed to the All-CAA First Team for the third straight year, while senior defenseman Ryan McGarvey (Lower Gwynedd) and sophomore goalkeeper Austin Kaut (Morton) joined Mackrides as first-team selections.
Senior attackman Jack Forster (Jenkintown) was named to the second team, and defenseman Jack Donnelly (Toronto, Ont.) and short-stick defensive midfielder Michael Richards (Skaneateles, N.Y.) were tabbed CAA All-Rookie Team members.
A native of Newtown Square, Pa., Mackrides leads the team in goals (30) and man-up markers (4), and is tied for the team lead in points (42). The attackman has recorded at least one point in each game this season and ranks among the top 15 active players in the nation with 101 career goals. With his 100th marker, Mackrides became the fifth Nittany Lion in program history to reach the century mark. The Lowe's Senior CLASS Award finalist has scored six three-goal games, including five straight, and five two-goal contests.
McGarvey was named an All-CAA honoree for the first time after anchoring a Penn State defensive unit that ranked in the top 10 in scoring defense for most of the year. The Lower Gwynedd, Pa., native has helped keep opponents to less than 10 goals in 12 of the team's 15 games and has recorded 17 ground balls and one caused turnover. McGarvey also tallied his first career goal against Bucknell March 27.
A two-time All-CAA First Team member, Kaut has continued his strong play during his sophomore season. Through April 29 games, Kaut ranks fifth in the NCAA in save percentage (.595), ninth in goals-against average (7.57) and 11th in saves per game (11.14). The Tewaaraton Award nominee recorded a season-high 18 saves in a 4-3 overtime victory against then-No. 2/4 Notre Dame and has registered at least 10 stops in nine games.
An All-CAA selection for the first time, Forster has established career highs in goals (27), assists (15) and points (42) during the 2012 season. The attackman has recorded at least one point in 14 games this season and registered 22 markers during a 10-game goal-scoring streak earlier this season.
Donnelly, who has started all 15 games, earned CAA All-Rookie Team honors after playing a pivotal role in the Penn State defense. In 2012, the Toronto, Ont., native has collected 17 ground balls and ranks second on the team with 13 caused turnovers.
At short-stick defensive midfield, Richards joined Donnelly on the all-rookie squad. A native of Skaneateles, N.Y., Richards has appeared in all 15 games and ranks fifth on the team in ground balls (25) and is tied for third with 11 caused turnovers. He also scored his first collegiate goal against the Fighting Irish.
The Nittany Lions (9-6), who fell to Drexel in the CAA semifinals, will learn their NCAA tournament fate on Sunday (May 6) when the 16-team field is announced on ESPNU at 9 p.m.