Delaware Valley's PJ Rafferty, Danny Smith named to Spring Academic All-MAC men's lacrosse team
Delaware Valley University men's lacrosse standouts PJ Rafferty and Danny Smith were recognized for their work in the classroom as well as on the field as the duo was named to the 2017 Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Spring Academic All-MAC Team on Wednesday.
It was the first Academic All-MAC accolade in Rafferty's career. The sophomore and business administration major (sports management concentration) was a first-team MAC Freedom honoree for the second year in a row as led the Aggies with 15 goals and a program-record 29 assists for 44 points. Rafferty had at least one point in 12 of the 14 overall games and became the first player in DelVal history to reach the 100-point plateau (104) in a career.
Smith, a criminal justice major, picked up his second straight Academic All-MAC award to cap his standout career. The two-time MAC Freedom Defensive Player of the Year and three-time all-conference honoree set an Aggie single-season record with 43 caused turnovers. He also led the way with 88 ground balls and added seven goals while assisting on two others for nine points.
Smith was a national Player of the Week back in March after he set single-game marks with 13 ground balls and eight caused turnovers in a 12-8 win at Virginia Wesleyan College. He is the program's all-time leader in both categories (248 ground balls, 115 caused turnovers).
The Academic All-Conference Team was created in 2013 to further recognize those who greatly succeed in both athletics and academics. Student-athletes are nominated and then voted upon by the sports information directors of the 17 institutions that make up the MAC (MAC Commonwealth, MAC Freedom, Middle Atlantic Conference). Student-athletes must have a 3.20 or higher grade point average for the semester the student-athlete is competing in.
William Gardner: 215-345-3070; email: wgardner@calkins.com; Twit-ter: @williammgardner