Oct. 17, 2016
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - It was announced Monday that senior attackman Nick Aponte was named as the captain of the 2017 Penn State men's lacrosse team by head coach Jeff Tambroni and the rest of the team's coaching staff.
"Our staff is very happy for Nick and optimistic about the path that he will forge for our team as a leader," Tambroni said on Aponte's assignment to the position. "He has earned the support and confidence of his teammates and coaches through his competence, tireless work ethic and compassion for this team."
Aponte, a 2016 Tewaarton nominee, became Penn State's first ever First-Team All-Big Ten selection, earning a unanimous vote to the 10-man team last season. Last year he posted a team-high 30 goals while adding 19 assists for a total of 49 points.
The West Islip, New York, native started all 15 games at attack, scoring at least one goal in all but three games. He posted nine multi-goal outings and dished out at least two assists in five games. He'll enter the 2017 season on a 32-game point-scoring streak, having amassed 46 goals and 34 assists for 80 points during the stretch.
Aponte opened 2016 with a career-high six points in the season-opener against Robert Morris, scoring two goals to go along with a career-high four assists and a pair of caused turnovers. He closed out the season with a career-high tying four goals in each of the final four games of the season, netting four in both the regular season and Big Ten Tournament semifinal meetings against top-five Maryland. Aponte also earned his first career Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week award following a five-point outing in the regular season finale against Michigan.
For up to date coverage of all things Penn State Men's Lacrosse, follow the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.