ARNOLD, MD – Anne Arundel Community College's men's lacrosse team has concluded their 2017 season with a 15-3 loss to Nassau Community College in the first round of the 2017 NJCAA Men's Lacrosse National Tournament. The Riverhawks ended 11-6 overall, and 3-2 in the conference, taking home 2nd place in the Region XX tournament and qualifying for the National Tournament.
The Riverhawks debuted their 2017 season with an extremely tough away game against the Lazers of Onondaga Community College. Despite the loss to the Lazers followed by a loss to Nassau Community College, AACC was able to turn things around – winning the next 4 games of their schedule.
Among the 4-game streak, the Riverhawks earned a notable, 14-12, over rival CCBC Essex.
After losing to Howard Community College and Harford Community College, the Riverhawks topped their previous 4 game win streak by winning an incredible, seven games in a row.
The seven games led them through the Region XX tournament where they lost to Howard Community College in the Championship game.
With such a successful season, AACC had earned a bid for the 2017 NJCAA National Tournament. With a tough seeding set, the Riverhawks were matched against Nassau Community College, who they had lost to early on during the season. A hard fought battle in NY, the Riverhawks were unable to defeat Nassau.
"This group should understand that they helped lay the foundation for this program," states first-year Head Coach Joe Stanilaus. "I am extremely proud to have led this group to the National Tournament and I look forward to taking another step next season."
Laying a foundation to say the least, the Riverhawks had 2 players make the Region XX All-Region team, 3 players make the Region XX All-Tournament team, 5 players make the All-Conference team, had numerous athletes leading in stats for the conference, 1 player awarded Student Athlete of the Month (April) for the conference, 1 player make the NJCAA National Tournament All-Tournament team, and we are currently eagerly awaiting the announcement of the 2017 All-Americans.
"It was an honor coaching such a fine group of student athletes, and we will be following the careers of the players who are moving on," Stanilaus mentions.
Of those players that are moving on, AACC is happy to congratulate some men's lacrosse athletes who have chosen their next step. Find out who, and where they intend to go – here!