Newton, Mass.-- The Lasell College men's soccer team received 12 nods from the Great Northeast Athletic Conference in post-season awards. Nine athletes were selected to the All-Conference teams, two were selected to the All-Tournament team, and one was selected to the GNAC Sportsmanship team.
Lasell's sophomore forward Dan Hatch (Avon, Mass.) and senior defender Paul Meucci (Vernon, Conn.) made the first team All-Conference, while six Lasers were awarded second team. Kyle Cronin (Weymouth, Mass.) Shane Vinnicombe (Pomfret Center, Mass.), Mike Skelton (Conway, NH), Brandon Hanss (Halifax, Mass.), Sean Fisher (Griswold, Conn.), and Julian Dutton (Madison, Conn.) made the ranks on the second team. Steve Petrin (Vernon, Conn.) was the sole third team honoree, and Dylan Janosik (Windham, ME) was honored on the GNAC Sportsmanship team.
Meucci and Dutton were also selected as members of the 2009 GNAC All-Tournament team to round out the twelve post-season awards.
Hatch had a great season playing in 15 games, scoring seven goals and dishing out four assists for 18 season points. He scored one game-winning goal this season against Lyndon State in non-conference action, though ten of his 18 total points were scored in conference. Hatch is ranked 8th in goals and points per game in the GNAC, and is ranked 10th in assists.
Meucci proved himself once again to be a great defender, playing in the center back position for Lasell, while also making himself a threat on offense when he pushed forward. The senior played in nineteen games this season, scoring four goals for eight points along the way. He excels at challenging the opposition, winning in the majority of 50/50 balls. Meucci also served as a team captain this season.
Lasell forward Cronin participated in 17 games this season and led the team in both goals and points, scoring eight goals and finishing with 19 points for the year. Cronin is a skillful dribbler and scorer who finished with four game-winning goals this season, three of which were in conference play. The sophomore tallied the deciding goal against GNAC opponents Rivier, St. Joseph's of Maine, and Johnson & Wales, as well as against Wells in non-league action.
Cronin finished 8th in the GNAC in total goals, 9th in total points and points per game, and 3rd in game winning goals.
Vinnicombe had a fantastic season for the Lasers, playing in 19 games, scoring five goals, and adding five assists. The senior midfielder finished third on the team in total points with 15, showing his uncanny ability to distribute the ball as well as attack individually. Vinnicombe scored 12 of his points in GNAC play and finished the season tied for 10th in the GNAC in assists.
Freshman midfielder Skelton had a great season playing in all 19 games for Lasell. He ended this season with four goals and three assists, good for fourth on the team, while having forty two shots on net. Skelton is an outstanding all-around player who is technically driven and can produce both offensively and defensively. The first year student-athlete scored one game winning-goal in the GNAC quarterfinals against Mount Ida College.
Hanss is a four year starting defender for the Lasers, served as a team captain this season, and played in thirteen games this year. The defender is quick with his ability to win balls and is also capable of skillfully distributing on the attack. The senior finished the year with one assist in GNAC play, while ending the season with seven shots on net.
Another primary defender who played in all nineteen games this season was Fisher. The junior was instrumental in providing key protection for the Lasers' net with his terrific tackling proficiency and his talent at extracting the ball from opponents.
Lasell's principal goalkeeper, Dutton, finished the season with an 8-4-2 record, including two shutouts. The senior finished 3rd in the GNAC for goals against average (1.31) and save percentage (.804) and finished 6th in total saves (76). With his fast feet and quick thinking, Dutton averaged over five saves per game in Lasell's net. His two solo shutouts were against St. Joseph's College of Maine during the regular season and Mount Ida College in the GNAC tournament quarterfinals.
A junior midfielder, Petrin provided the role of tough defender and offensive producer exceptionally well. He quietly creates offense with his athletic ability, and handed out two assists this season. Petrin played in all 19 contests this year.
And finally, the Lasers' selection to the GNAC Sportsmanship team, Janosik, scored one goal in eight games. Janosik was chosen because of his positive attitude as well as being a true team player. The sophomore midfielder scored his first season goal in the quarterfinals of the GNAC tournament against Mount Ida College.
The Lasers finished their 2009 season in the semi-finals of the GNAC tournament, and ended the year with a 9-6-2 overall record.