Massa, Waldt tabbed as USILA Third Team All-Americans

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – After leading the Bulldogs to their fourth-straight Northeast Conference title and third-consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament, Bryant University men's lacrosse senior faceoff specialist Kevin Massa (Huntington, N.Y.) and junior goalie Gunnar Waldt (Freeland, Md.) have been named USILA Third Team All-Americans.

The only All-America selections to come out of the NEC, each are repeat honorees. For Massa, the 2015 accolade represents his third-straight All-America recognition while Waldt is awarded his second-consecutive All-America nod.

The first-ever four-time All-NEC First Team pick, Massa is a three-time NEC Player of the Year who will go down in lacrosse history as one of the best to ever grace the faceoff X. A seven-time NCAA record holder, he owns four NCAA career marks for faceoffs won (1,117), faceoffs taken (1,638), ground balls (753) and ground balls per game (9.92). After a First Team All-America selection as a junior, Massa championed the 2015 rule changes to remain one of the top faceoff specialists in the nation this spring, earning his second Third Team nod to cap off a historic career. The senior captain also earned his fourth NEILA All-New England selection this season and finishes his senior campaign ranked fourth nationally at the X (.669) and third in ground balls per game (8.89).

After another stellar year between the pipes, Waldt adds his second All-America Third Team selection to a growing list of career accolades with a season of eligibility still remaining. Also a two-time NEC Defensive Player of the Year, all-conference first teamer and All-New England selection, the junior captain was ranked inside the national top-20 in all three goalie categories, ranking sixth in save percentage (.578), ninth in goals against average (8.24) and 17th in saves per game (11.11) while anchoring the Bulldogs' 10th-ranked defense. Waldt finished the 2015 campaign with 200 saves and added 37 ground balls with four caused turnovers.

The Bulldog lacrosse program has now had an All-American in every season since transitioning to the Division I level.

Bryant All-America selections

2009:    Zack Greer, second team (attack)
2010:    Matt Murnane, honorable mention (defense)
2011:    Mason Poli, honorable mention (defense)
2012:    Mason Poli, honorable mention (defense)
2013:    Kevin Massa, third team (faceoff)
             Mason Poli, honorable mention (LSM)
2014:    Kevin Massa, first team (faceoff)
             Gunnar Waldt, third team (goalie)
             Colin Dunster, honorable mention (midfield)
2015:    Kevin Massa, third team (faceoff)
             Gunnar Waldt, third team (goalie)