WINTHROP, Mass. – Coming off a hat trick in Regis College's first home match of the 2020 season, freshman attacker Ryan Richardson (Corona, Calif.) has been named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Men's Lacrosse Rookie of the Week, announced Monday by the league office.

In Regis' 14-7 victory over Mitchell College last Wednesday, Richardson struck for his and the team's first goal of the night just over two minutes into the contest. Later in the first quarter, he assisted on Brent Young's (Feeding Hills, Mass.) third of four consecutive goals as the Pride raced out to a 6-0 advantage halfway through the opening period.

Less than two minutes into the second half, Richardson scored again, this time taking advantage of a man-up opportunity. He would complete his hat trick later in the third quarter with the goal that extended Regis' lead to 11-4.

During the match, Richardson also collected three ground balls as he took a total of 11 shots, seven of them on goal. It was Richardson's third consecutive multiple-goal match, as he started the season with two goals at Maine Maritime Feb. 29 and then earned five goals, including three tallies in man-up situations, at Thomas College March 4.

Richardson becomes the first Regis men's lacrosse student-athlete to receive a GNAC weekly award since Michael Daras (Danvers, Mass.) was named GNAC Rookie of the Week April 30, 2018.

Last Friday, recognizing the spread and ongoing threat of COVID-19, the GNAC Presidents' Council voted unanimously to call off all spring competition, practices, and championships for the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year. Starting Monday, Regis College transitioned all classes fully online until further notice, and it was decided, in light of Sunday night's emergency order from Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, to eventually close the residence halls in the best interests of the students and the entire Regis community.