DesMarais, Fithian Headline NEILA All-New England Selections

BEVERLY, Mass. – Five members of the Endicott men's lacrosse program have earned New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (NEILA) All-New England honors, as announced by the organization earlier today.

Sam DesMarais (York, Maine) and Andrew Fithian (Marshfield, Mass.) headlined the group with selections to the All-New England Second Team.

Meanwhile, Jack Sutherland (Sudbury, Mass.), Austin Fournier (Martha's Vineyard, Mass.), and Reed Rezanka (San Diego, Calif.) rounded out the list of honorees for the Gulls with Honorable Mention accolades.

SAM DESMARAIS | SR. | M

DesMarais earned his first career All-Region honor via 26 goals and six assists for 32 points in 13 games played.

The senior midi finished the 2021 season ranked sixth in goals, 22nd in assists, and 11th in points in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC).

DesMarais also buried at least two goals in nine games this year, which included a streak of six two-goal games spanning from April 10 (Western New England) to April 28 (Curry). Additionally, his career-high for goals (5) and points (6) came in a pivotal conference win against Roger Williams on April 3.

ANDREW FITHIAN | SR. | D

Fithian was a dominant force all season long for the Gulls as the senior paced the CCC in caused turnovers (40) and currently ranks No. 18 nationally in caused turnovers per game (2.86, 14 games).

He also notched at least three caused turnovers in eight games this year and forced a career-high seven turnovers against Curry on April 7.

As a defensive unit, the Gulls finished the 2021 campaign first overall in the conference in ground balls (499), caused turnovers (212), clear percentage (84.1), and goals against average (7.42) in large part to Fithian's play.

This is Fithian's first career All-Region selection.

JACK SUTHERLAND | SR. | A

Sutherland notched 35 goals and 14 assists for 49 points in 14 games played this season. He currently ranks second in goals, 11th in assists, and fourth in points in the CCC.

Sutherland scored at least one goal in every game this year, registered five or more points in five games, and tallied a career-high six goals and nine points against Curry on 4/28/2021.

He also buried his 100th career goal against Nichols on May 1, 2021 (00:01 in 3rd quarter, 12-2).

AUSTIN FOURNIER | GR. | G

Fournier anchored the best defensive unit in the CCC behind the following league-leading stats: games played (14), games started (14), minutes (779:36), goals against average (7.47), saves (148), save percentage (60.4), wins (12), and win percentage (85.7).

Nationally, Fournier is situated No. 12 in goals against average and No. 19 in save percentage.

Some of his other season highlights include winning CCC Defensive Player of the Week honors four times this season.

He also made 10 or more saves nine games on the year – including a season-best 19 versus Trinity (Conn.) on March 23 – and allowed four goals or less six times, highlighted by his performance in Endicott's 9-4 win over Western New England in CCC Championship.

The four goals allowed were the second-lowest total ever (tied) in a conference championship game in CCC history.

REED REZANKA | SR. | SHORT-STICK

Rezanka's play was equally as important to Endicott's success on defense as the senior short-stick specialist compiled seven caused turnovers and 27 ground balls.

He also scored three goals and dished out one assist in 14 games.

YEAR IN REVIEW

Endicott posted a 12-2 overall record and perfect 7-0 mark in conference play en route to a 9-4 victory over rival Western New England University in the CCC Championship.

The victory marked the 10th conference title in program history for the Gulls and first since 2017. 

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(Photo Credit - David Le '10)