via Dean College press release/website

Bulldogs Earn Three Major GNAC Awards

FRANKLIN, Mass. – May 7, 2024 – The Dean College men’s lacrosse team was well-represented on Tuesday Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) all-conference announcement by the league office.

Senior Diego Alvarez-Segee (Saugus, Mass.) was voted as the 2024 GNAC Offensive Player of the Year, while Manny Alvarez-Segee (Saugus, Mass.) was selected as the 2024 GNAC Rookie of the Year. Senior Tyler Benedetto (Jupiter, Fla.) was named the 2024 GNAC Faceoff Specialist of the Year.

Diego Alvarez-Segee, who picked up his second Offensive Player of the Year honor of his career, was also named to the All-GNAC First Team for the third year in a row. The attacker led the Bulldogs in points (102), goals (67) and assists (35). He also was first in caused turnovers with 22 and tied for second in ground balls with 63. Diego, a three-time GNAC Player of the Week this season, led all conference players in goals and points and was fourth in assists. He posted at least two points in each of the team’s 18 games and had at least five in 13. Diego also came up big in a 13-11 GNAC semifinal victory at Rivier with a game best seven points on three goals and four assists.  As of today, he is one of only nine players in Division III with 100 points or more this season. He also currently ranks 12th in goals per game (3.72) and 13th in points per game (5.67).

In addition to being named Faceoff Specialist of the Year, Tyler Benedetto also landed on the All-GNAC First Team for the second time in his career. He went 267-of-435 in faceoffs for a 61.4 win percentage. The 267 wins led all conference players. The senior team captain led the Bulldogs with 142 ground balls, which ranked fourth most in the GNAC. He tallied at least 10 ground balls on five occasions during the season. Benedetto also contributed five points on three goals and two assists.

Manny Alvarez-Segee also earned a spot on the GNAC All-Rookie Team. He ranked second on the team in points (69), goals (49) and assists (20). Among conference players, Manny finished seventh in points and fifth in goals. The three-time GNAC Rookie of the Week was tied for third on Dean with 15 caused turnovers and fifth with 42 ground balls. He recorded at least one point in all 18 games and posted at least five points eight times. Manny was tied for the team lead with four game-winning goals, including one in the 14-12 GNAC quarterfinal win over Saint Joseph’s (ME).

Senior Chris Rivera (Glastonbury, Conn.) earned a spot on the All-GNAC First Team as a short stick defensive midfielder (SSDM). He was tied for second on the team with 63 ground balls and tied for third with 15 caused turnovers. Rivera picked up at least five ground balls seven times during the season. The senior team captain was a big reason why Dean led the GNAC with 707 ground balls, which ranked 29th in the nation. Rivera also had an impact on a team that registered the second most clears and the second-best clear percentage in the GNAC. Rivera earned a nod to the All-GNAC Third Team in 2022.

Senior Kyle Ingram (Chicopee, Mass.) was named to the All-GNAC Third Team. Ingram, a team captain, anchored the Dean defense in all 18 games during the season. He was second on the team with 19 caused turnovers and seventh with 38 ground balls. Ingram was an instrumental reason why the Bulldogs posted the fourth best goals against average in the conference. Ingram also earned a spot on the GNAC All-Tournament Team for his play during the postseason.

Sophomore Kyle Pianka (Greenville, R.I.) represented the Bulldogs on the GNAC All-Sportsmanship Team.

The Bulldogs (13-5, 7-3 GNAC, 5-1 South) made a run to the GNAC championship game after defeating Saint Joseph’s College of Maine 14-12 in the quarterfinals and Rivier 13-11 in the semifinals. Dean was edged by Saint Joseph (Conn.) 13-12 in the title game.