Nick Klein, Zach Sweeney Recognized in GNAC Postseason Honors

WINTHROP, Mass. - The Regis College men's lacrosse team collected three honors among the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) postseason awards, as Nick Klein (Buxton, Maine) was voted to the GNAC All-Rookie Team, Zach Sweeney (Torrington, Conn.) was selected to the GNAC Men's Lacrosse All-Sportsmanship Team, and the entire squad received the GNAC Men's Lacrosse Team Sportsmanship Award, announced Monday, May 8, by the league office.

Klein led the Pride with 23 goals and 30 total points as he also collected seven assists, 23 groundballs, and eight caused turnovers. He notched a hat trick in his first career collegiate match, scoring three goals during Regis' 11-6 victory at MCLA March 5.

On March 28 at Anna Maria, Klein finished with four goals and two assists for six total points, and then he earned a season-high five goals April 22 at Albertus Magnus. He accumulated four groundballs in two different matches during the season: at Johnson and Wales March 18 and at University of Saint Joseph April 7.

"Nick had a tremendous start to his college career," head coach Matthew Sweeney said. "His work ethic was clear to us during his recruitment, so we were thrilled to see it translate in his first year. He developed so much on and off the field that we are very excited to see how the rest of his career plays out."

One of this year's team captains, Zach Sweeney has started all 29 matches for the Pride over the past two seasons, anchoring the team's defensive effort. He finished the 2023 season with 28 groundballs and a team-high 21 caused turnovers.

In Regis' season-opening victory at MCLA March 5, he finished with four groundballs and a career-high four caused turnovers. He picked up a career-high six groundballs at Anna Maria March 28, followed by a match against Norwich April 1 in which he earned three caused turnovers and two groundballs.

"Zach has done an exceptional job for us as a student, as an athlete, and as a leader. He is always finding ways to help his teammates on and off the field. He sets the standard for us in a lot of areas, and he is very deserving of this recognition because he does it the right way," added Coach Sweeney.

In voting by the 11 conference coaches, the Regis men's lacrosse team also received the Team Sportsmanship Award for continually showing a commitment to play the game fairly and be respectful of opponents and officials.

Regis College sponsors 20 intercollegiate sports, including men's lacrosse, within NCAA Division III as a member of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference.