Bulldog trio named 2015 NEILA All-New England selections

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – After a season that saw the Bryant University men's lacrosse team earn its third-straight trip to the NCAA tournament, a trio of Bulldogs continue to receive year-end accolades, being named 2015 NEILA All-New England selections.

Senior faceoff specialist and seven-time NCAA record holder Kevin Massa (Huntington, N.Y.) leads the list as the Bulldogs' lone All-New England First Team pick, with junior goalie Gunnar Waldt (Freeland, Md.) and sophomore longstick midfielder Cody O'Donnell (Smithfield, R.I.) garnering second team nods.

Already named a USILA Third Team All-American, Massa racks up his fourth NEILA All-New England selection in 2015, including his third-consecutive first team honor. A four-time All-Northeast Conference First Team selection and three-time reigning NEC Player of the Year, he finishes his career as one of the best faceoff specialists in the history of the game. Massa leaves the collegiate ranks as the owner of seven NCAA records, including career marks for faceoffs won (1,117), faceoffs taken (1,638), ground balls (753) and ground balls per game (9.92). A three-time All-American at Bryant, the senior captain finished his final campaign ranked fourth nationally at the X (.669) and third in ground balls per game (8.89).

After another All-American year between the pipes, Waldt adds his second All-New England selection to a growing list of career accolades with a season of eligibility still remaining. Also a two-time Third Team All-American, NEC Defensive Player of the Year and all-conference first teamer, the junior captain was ranked inside the national top-20 in all three goalie categories, ranking fifth 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.

O'Donnell takes home his first All-New England recognition in 2015 after a season that saw him lead Bryant's longpoles both in the midfield and on defense. Also an All-NEC Second Team selection, the sophomore proved once again to be a threat on both sides of the ball, finishing the season with seven goals and two assists, including three tallies in the NEC Tournament alone en route to an all-tournament team nod for the NEC Champs. The versatile pole stepped back on defense after an injury sidelined teammate Kyle Mummau, excelling in both LSM and close defense roles to finish the 2015 campaign with 20 ground balls and 12 caused turnovers.