Four from Men's Lacrosse Earn CACC All-Conference Honors for 2024
Connor Cullen was named as a first-teamer while James Napoli, Ryan Thomas and Joe Martin were each tabbed to the CACC’s All-Conference Second Team.
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – In recognition of sensational spring campaigns, the University of Bridgeport's men's lacrosse team had four student-athletes earn CACC All-Conference honors for the 2024 season. Connor Cullen was named as a first-teamer while James Napoli, Ryan Thomas and Joe Martin were each tabbed to the CACC's All-Conference Second Team.
Cullen was far and away the best specialist in the conference this year. The Long Islander won more than 200 faceoffs in 2024 while tallying a winning percentage of nearly 65 percent. He also grabbed 104 ground balls which was the third highest mark in the CACC. Cullen added four assists as well. He came up with a season-high 27 faceoff wins and 17 ground balls in a win over Caldwell on April 13. Over UB's final four games, Cullen went 82-for-106 in faceoffs and totaled 51 ground balls.
Napoli led the UB offense in almost every category while starting all 15 contests. He finished with team-highs in both assists (27) and total points (56) while also posting 29 goals (2nd on UB). Napoli chipped in 20 ground balls and seven caused turnovers as well. He was named the CACC Player of the Week on April 15 after recording 16 points (8G, 8A) and three caused turnovers in a pair of UB wins. He also made the USILA's National Team of the Week on two occasions. Napoli's top performance of the year came against Post in the regular season when he tallied 10 points off four goals and six assists.
Thomas served as one of UB's main defensive stoppers this season. In fact, he ranked second in the CACC in caused turnovers (32). Thomas also logged 26 ground balls and managed a goal and an assist this season. He was recognized twice by the CACC as the conference's Defensive Player of the Week. Thomas notched at least one caused turnover in 13 different games, including a season-best seven against Dominican on April 20. He also managed at least one ground ball in 14 separate contests and nabbed a season-high five versus Holy Family.
Martin enjoyed a fabulous rookie campaign in Bridgeport. The Long Island native finished the year with defensive totals of 37 ground balls and 17 caused turnovers. He also added five goals and three assists on the attack side of things. Martin played in all 15 of UB's games and started 11 of them. He tallied at least one caused turnover in 10 different games at least one ground ball in 14 separate contests. Thomas initiated a season-best six CTs versus Post in the CACC Playoffs and a season-high four GBs against Saint Michael's.