NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- MCLA first year attack Nathan Haley has been selected as the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Rookie of the Year.

 

Haley led the Trailblazers in scoring and helped guide them through their first full season as a varsity program. The 2022 NAC Men's Lacrosse Player of the Year is Hunter Olsen of SUNY Canton, and fellow Kangaroo Zack LaFave is the 2022 Senior Scholar Athlete.

 

In addition to major conference awards, 30 student athletes were named to All-Conference Teams, and nine players were selected to the Sportsmanship Team. The NAC Men's Lacrosse Sportsmanship Team is reserved for those who have distinguished themselves through demonstrated acts of sportsmanship and ethical behavior. The honorees have positively affected the sport and game environment by clearly demonstrating sportsmanship and integrity beyond playing rules and etiquette.

 

Along with being named the top rookie, Haley was also a first team selection. In eight NAC games, Haley racked up 44 points on seven assists and a league-best 37 goals. He scored a conference-best 10 man-up goals while adding one man-down goal, 28 ground balls, and seven caused turnovers. In 13 total games this spring, Haley notched 58 points on 48 goals (5th) and ten assists.

 

The Drury High graduate who played on the coop lacrosse team at Hoosac Valley saved his best performances for last this season as he ended the year with back-to-back eight-goal games against NVU-Lyndon and Thomas.

 

MCLA started its lacrosse program in 2020, however the pandemic shut it down after just a few games. The Trailblazers got in one game during the 2021 season before completing a full schedule in 2022.  

 

Haley's teammate Matt Ortiz was the Trailblazer representative on the Sportsmanship team.