Three Saints Voted to GNAC All-Conference Squad, Decker Makes All-Rookie Team

BOSTON – A trio of Saints men's lacrosse players have been named to the Great Northeast Athletic Conference teams, as announced by the GNAC Office on Monday afternoon. Junior Derek DelVecchio (Saugus, Mass.) earned a First-Team selection, senior Samuel Burghardt (Gorham, Maine) was named to the Second Team, and junior Ryan Castle (Boxford, Mass.) earned a spot on the Third Team. Senior John Doherty (Leominster, Mass.) was also selected as the Saints representative on the GNAC Sportsmanship team.

DelVecchio picks up the First Team honors as a short stick midfielder after starting in all 16 games for the Saints this season. He led the Saints in ground balls, picking up 55 this season, while continuing his hard work defensively, causing the second most turnovers on the team with 20.

Burghardt makes his way to the Second Team after a strong campaign in the Saints defense. A starter in 15 of the Saints 16 games this season, Burghardt led the team in caused turnovers with 32 while his ground balls total of 40 ranks him third on Emmanuel.

Castle earned a spot on the Third Team after his most productive campaign to date. The junior attack led EC with 40 goals and was second on the team in points with 52. Castle will start next season at 96 career points, just four shy of becoming the fifth player in program history to reach the 100 career point plateau.

First-year defender Evan Decker (Milwaukee, Wis.) was also recognized by the GNAC, earning a spot on the All-Rookie Team after a strong first season with the Saints.

Emmanuel finished the season at 6-10, including 5-5 in the GNAC, clinching the No. 6 seed in the postseason. The Saints traveled to Rivier for their quarterfinal game, losing a heartbreaker in double overtime to the Raiders, 10-9.

2022 GNAC Men's Lacrosse All-Conference Teams