BEVERLY, Mass. – After a record-breaking campaign, four student-athletes of the Wentworth Institute of Technology men's lacrosse team earned postseason recognition from the Commonwealth Coast Conference as announced by the league office Friday morning. Sophomore midfielder Tyler Longo (Kingston, N.Y.), junior goalkeeper Tom Gardner (West Windsor, N.J.), junior long stick midfielder Jake Rocchio (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.), and senior faceoff specialist Connor Charron (Tewksbury, Mass.) were each named to the all-conference third team for their respective performances this season. The Leopards' four honorees are the most the team has had since 2013.
The postseason awards were voted on by the league's eight head coaches prior to the start of the conference tournament.
Longo led the Leopards in assists (31) and points (60) this season, catalyzing the Black & Gold's offense from midfield. In his second season, the sophomore chipped in with 22 ground balls and four caused turnovers en route to his first conference nod. Longo tallied a career-high eight points (4-4) in Wentworth's triumph over Russell Sage back in February.
Gardner, a four-time CCC Defensive Player of the Week, broke numerous program records and backstopped the Leopards to a program-best 13 wins, all of which came with his tutelage. The junior's 9.15 goals against average and .603 save percentage both rank second in the CCC. Gardner's career-high 25-save performance in the CCC semifinals also lifted him to set the single-season program record for total saves, which now stands with his 264.
Rocchio tied the team lead with 20 caused turnovers, causing havoc at midfield, and was fourth team-wide with 36 ground balls. The junior added a goal (against Emmanuel) and an assist to his impressive 2024 stat line and was a mainstay on the defensive front, starting 17 of the Leopards' 19 contests.
At the X, Charron won 268 draws and scooped up 8.37 ground balls per game, ranking third in the league. The senior surpassed the 500-career faceoff wins plateau in a win over the University of New England and set the single-season record for most ground balls with 159. Charron scored eight goals and added an assist as well in 2024.
Wentworth went 13-6 this season, totaling their most-ever wins in any one season, and advanced to the CCC semifinals for the first time since 2004.
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