LAX Duo Named to NEILA All-Star Game Roster
SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. – The New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (NEILA) is proud to announce the rosters and game information for the 2022 East-West Senior All-Star Game, which will be held Friday, June 3.
Thirty-nine players from Divisions I, II and III—including Mitchell College's Desmond Knowles and Jonathan Urrutia—will compete in this year's All-Star Game, which will be played at Providence College's Anderson Stadium in Providence, R.I. Game time is slated for 7 p.m.
Knowles and Urrutia will be the first Mitchell teammates to take part in the event. In 2021, Jade Shields became the first Mariner to ever play in the game.
Knowles capped a four-year career at Mitchell by earning all-conference honors while being named New England Collegiate Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year. He led the league with 31 caused turnovers and recorded team highs of 92 ground balls and 58 face-off wins. He also contributed a career-high eight goals and two assists on the offensive end.
Urrutia wrapped up a three-year career with the Mariners by playing in 15 games and making eight starts. The veteran defender notched career highs of 34 ground balls and eight caused turnovers, and he also produced five goals and seven assists to aid the Mitchell offense.
All players and coaches were nominated by the head coaches within the NEILA. Players were then ranked and selected by a committee, awarding seniors from all three NCAA Divisions who played their college career in the New England region. The all-star game is the only one of its kind, a regional showcase that includes players from all three NCAA divisions.
The NEILA East-West game also gives assistant coaches from some of the top programs each year the opportunity to take the reins as the coaching staff of each team. The coaches are also nominated by the head coaches who are members of the NEILA.
This year, the West will be coached by Dahnique Brown (Western New England) and Nico Brands (Wheaton). The East will be headed by Marcus Young (Emmanuel) and Chris St. George (UMass Boston).
The game will also be live streamed. Click here to watch.