AMHERST, Mass. – Saint Joseph's College seniors Michael Finn (Quincy, Mass.) and Raymond Emery (Abington, Mass.) have been selected to play in the 2019 New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (NEILA) East-West Senior All Star Game at Johnson & Wales University on Friday, May 31st. The exhibition contest is slated to begin at 6:00 PM.
The Monks will also be represented on the sideline as Assistant Coach Jonathan Horgan '12 has been tabbed as a coach for the East Team for the second-consecutive season. Horgan coached a pair of SJC players in last year's All-Star Game, as Liam Skinner '18 and Connor Trainor '18 were members of the East Team last spring.
Emery capped his collegiate career having played in 67 games over four seasons with 117 ground balls and 65 caused turnovers. The senior captain was a two-time All-Conference defender.
Finn owns the Monks' career records for points (210), goals (169), shots on goal (324), and man-up goals (37). This spring the senior captain became the first SJC player to be selected First Team All-Conference in seven years after scoring 49 goals with 14 assists for 63 total points with 12 man-up goals, 31 ground balls, and five caused turnovers in 17 games.
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. This all-star game is the only one of its kind, being a regional all-star game that includes players from Divisions 1, 2, and 3.
"This is a great opportunity to highlight the college careers of these young man. For many, it is one last time for them to play an organized game against such high competition. It is also a chance to compete with players you may have battled against throughout your college career," said Tim Murphy, head coach of Curry College and coordinator of the East-West All-Star team selection.
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 staffs of each team.
The coaches are also nominated by the head coaches who are members of the NEILA. It is a great opportunity for assistants to add their flare on the game.
This year, the West will be coached by Devin Callahan (Eastern Connecticut State), Connor Eschmann (Western New England), Will Roberts (Clark) and Mike Wilus (Plymouth State). The East will be head manned by Rob Murray (Emmanuel), Jon Horgan (Saint Joseph's ME) and Jack Wilson (Curry).
