Five Bulldogs earn All-League honors on eve of NEC Tournament
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – On the eve of its second-straight Northeast Conference Tournament appearance, the Bryant University men's soccer team saw five of its own earn All-NEC accolades, announced the conference at its annual postseason banquet Thursday night.
Junior Brett Larocque (Ottawa, Ont.) led the way for the program's first-ever All-NEC selections, earning first team honors, while seniors Connor Norat (Wilmington, Del.), Shane Murphy (Kennett Square, Pa.), Tony Flaim (Fort Lee, N.J.) and junior goalkeeper Chris Knaub (Yarmouth, Maine) were all tabbed as All-NEC Second Team picks.
Larocque, who sits atop the Division I program leaders in career points (47) and goals (20) after only three seasons in Smithfield, put together yet another phenomenal year in 2014 en route to an All-NEC First Team nod. A threat to score every time he touches the ball, Larcoque enters the NEC Tournament with six goals and a career-best four assists through 16 games this season. The junior put together a pair of two-score matches during the regular season, including a five-point day as part of a 4-2 victory over Hartwick on Sept. 28.
Larocque's right-hand man in the offensive third, Norat put together an equally impressive year to pick up All-NEC Second Team honors, the first of his career as well. The physical senior captain put home four tallies to go along with a pair of assists during the year, capping off the regular season with a two-goal performance to clinch the #2 overall seed in Sunday's 2-1 double OT win at Central Connecticut.
Joining Norat on the All-NEC Second Team are Murphy and Flaim who helped anchor the stingy Bulldog backline throughout 2014. Murphy captained the Black and Gold defensive unit which allowed only 1.16 goals per match this season. The senior also dished out a pair of assists upping his career total to eight which ranks third in DI program history.
Flaim, a menace in the defensive midfield for opposing teams, also grabbed his first all-league honor, as his impact on each match goes beyond the stat sheet. Flaim's physical presence and ability to win jump balls in the midfield has helped the Black and Gold control matches throughout the season.
Rounding out the postseason accolades for Bryant is Knaub, who garnered his first-career All-NEC Second Team honor after putting together another stellar season between the pipes. Arguably the most underrated GK in the entire NEC, Knaub enjoyed his best season as a Bulldog allowing just 1.12 goals per contest while stopping more than 80 percent of opponent's shots on goal. The junior finished the regular season with a DI program record eight wins to go along with three shutouts.
The five All-NEC honorees and the rest of the Bulldogs will look to keep things rolling on Friday when they faceoff with St. Francis Brooklyn in the NEC Tournament Semifinals. Game time is set for 6:30 p.m.