MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. — On the eve of the 2026 NEC Men's Lacrosse Championship, the league office announced its annual major awards and All-Conference teams. In a historic showing of dominance, Robert Morris swept the major individual honors following an undefeated 7-0 conference season.
Highlighting the announcements,
Dylan Anderson put together a performance for the record books, taking home NEC Player of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, and Rookie of the Year honors. Anderson becomes the first player in league history to claim all three awards simultaneously.
On the defensive end,
Owen Tapper was named the NEC Defensive Player of the Year. Rounding out the major hardware,
Craig McDonald was named the NEC Coach of the Year after leading RMU to the program's first outright regular-season title since 2012.
In addition to the major awards, nine Colonials were recognized across the All-Conference lists. The NEC First Team was headlined by Anderson and Tapper, who were joined by
Ben Eck,
Nate Fechter,
Elijah Edwards, and
Nathan Ruff.
The NEC Second Team featured three more RMU standouts in
Calum Brennan,
Joel McCormick, and
Liam Blakely. Anderson also earned a spot on the NEC All-Rookie Team alongside teammate
Koerner Marechek.
The top-seeded Colonials begin their quest for the tournament crown on Thursday, April 30, when they host VMI in the NEC Semifinals at Joe Walton Stadium. Faceoff is set for 5 p.m.
NOTES
- Anderson becomes the fifth player in program history to be named NEC Player of the Year, joining Bo Columbus (2025), Tyson Gibson (2019), Kiel Matisz (2012), and Trevor Moore (2010, 2011). He stands as the first freshman in NEC history to earn Player of the Year honors and is the first RMU player to be named Rookie of the Year. Additionally, he is the second Colonial to be named Offensive Player of the Year, following David Burr (2025).
- Tapper earns the distinction of being the second Colonial named Defensive Player of the Year, joining Zach Bryant (2018). His selection to the First Team marks the second consecutive year he has received All-Conference honors.
- This accolade serves as McDonald's first NEC Coach of the Year award and the third overall for the program, joining Andrew McMinn (2012, 2017).
- This selection represents the second All-Conference honor for both Brennan and Fechter, who were both members of the 2025 First Team.
- Eck, Ruff, McCormick, and Blakely are all recognized as first-time honorees.
- For Edwards, the selection signifies his second straight year as a First Team All-Conference recipient.
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