Posted: Apr 25, 2014

McKeon, Russell, LoCicero named All-CCC

Curtis McKeon, Steven Russell, and Nick LoCicero will lead the fourth-seeded Seahawks in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) post-season.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) announced its all-league men's lacrosse team today and three Salve Regina University players were voted to the squad - senior Curtis McKeon (West Haven, Conn.), junior Steven Russell (Bayport, N.Y.), and freshman Nick LoCicero (Lynbrook, N.Y.). McKeon earned a second team selection while Russell and LoCicero received honorable mention accolades in voting conducted among CCC men's lacrosse coaches.

Salve Regina (12-4; 4-4 CCC) set its program record for wins in a season and qualified to host a conference playoff game for the third time in its history - fourth-seeded Seahawks host the fifth-seeded Leopards of Wentworth Institute of Technology (7-8; 4-4 CCC) on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Gaudet Field in Middletown. Attend or follow the playoff game with live statistics and video play-by-play.

"2014 has been a fantastic year for the Seahawks' lacrosse team," said 11th-year head coach Patrick Cooney. "Our three senior captains have led the team to a resurgence. Each teammate has contributed to the team's success and the success of those receiving all-conference honors. The team's dedication to family, work ethic, and to compete in the classroom and on the field has fostered a positive chemistry and culture in which several student-athletes have excelled exponetially."

Curtis McKeon McKeon established career highs his senior year in goals (39), ground balls (200), and face-off percentage (.627). His 53 points ties for fifth place all-time in the Seahawk single-season records. He owns the the school's career ground-ball record, nearly doubling the second-place total (587 to 296) set by Nathaniel Burns (2007-10).

Face-offs are where McKeon makes his mark, having that duty for 1,369 times in his career. He also has the top face-off percentage in school history (.611). McKeon ranks seventh all-time in Seahawk scoring (118 career points). His ground balls per game (10.02) is the best of any Salve Regina men's lacrosse player all-time.

"Curtis McKeon has been the tip of the spear for four years. Curtis is hard as a spar. A tremendous captain, he is the heartbeat of our team."

Steven Russell

Russell, a long-stick midfielder and defenseman, matches his scoring production from 2013 with four goals and three assists. Playing in all 16 games for the Seahawks thus far in 2014, Russell has posted 41 ground balls and 30 caused turnovers.

"Steven Russell has played great lacrosse for us this year. Steven has matured as a junior defenseman showing versatility and athleticism. Always a threat to cause a turnover, he sparks transition and can push the ball."

Nick LoCicero LoCicero has assaulted the school's all-time assist record in just one season. Already No. 2 all-time with 55 assists, he trails only Brendan Rooney's career mark of 66 assists, while notching 30 more than any other single-season total.

Rooney will be on the sidelines for tomorrow's visiting team, the Leopards, who lost to LoCicero's Seahawks, 13-12 in overtime, on April 15. LoCicero had five assists in the victory.

"Nick LoCicero has greatly helped the flow of the offense. Nick's vision, experience, and skill sets have assisted the shooters to blossom. He has consistently been in the top three nationally in assists per game throughout 2014."