The rise of Dylan Pallonetti has been nothing short of remarkable.
In one year, the Ward Melville alum went from seeing no playing time on the Maryland Terrapins roster to leading the Stony Brook Seawolves in goals, assists and points scored. His seven weekly conference Rookie of the Week honors set a program and conference record, overtaking UAlbany Great Danes alum and trick-shot extraordinaire Tehoka Nanticoke’s six wins in the same category.
The redshirt-freshman made his introduction to collegiate lacrosse felt by scoring a program-record six goals and seven points in the 20-8 season opening win over Sacred Heart. Pallonetti topped his previous high in points scored by earning eight against Hofstra, in only his third collegiate game played. Ultimately, the attackman topped the stats sheet for Stony Brook by finishing with 34 goals, 19 assists and 53 points scored.
Pallonetti’s risk jumping to the Seawolves paid off Wednesday afternoon, when he became the first student-athlete to be simultaneously named the America East Offensive Player and Rookie of the Year.
The Stony Brook-natives story overcoming unforeseen obstacles was a common thread many awarded Seawolves players held throughout the season. Six players from the men’s lacrosse team and ## players from the women’s lacrosse team earned conference honors this season.
Ally Kennedy headlines the women’s award category by earning its Midfielder Player of the Year and First-Team All Conference bids. There was doubt during the initial outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic that Kennedy would return to the program. But, the graduate opted-in under a blanket waiver and was immediately deemed one of the nation’s best talents— being named US Lacrosse Magazine’s Preseason Midfielder and Player of the Year.
The North Babylon-native instantly proved why she deserved those accolades and scored five goals along with six points in the Stony Brook home opening 20-10 win over Boston. Kennedy tallied five or more points in seven games— half of the team’s regular season games played. She finished with a conference-high 52 goals and 57 points, the second most behind the conference Offensive Player of the Year— teammate Taryn Ohlmiller.
Much like Kennedy, Ohlmiller’s future was in jeopardy following her senior season’s cancellation due to the pandemic. However, once Stony Brook Athletic Director Shawn Heilbron announced impacted seniors would be eligible to return in 2021, Ohlmiller’s focused quickly turned back to leading the Seawolves.
The Islip-native topped the conference with 71 points scored— 37 coming off assists which led the team. She arguable saved her best until the end, wrapping up the regular season with a career-high eight goals in the 18-7 win over UMBC last Saturday. The total ranks third in program history in single-game performances while her seventh goal made the graduate one of three Seawolves to top 200 career goals— joining the NCAA record holder Courtney Murphy and older sister, Kylie.
Other men’s lacrosse members who were honored Wednesday afternoon include Mike McCannell and Michael Sabella, tabbed to the first-team. Austin Deskewicz, David Estrella-Miere and Chris Pickel, Jr were selected to the second team.
McCannell saw a huge boost across his stat sheet compared to 2019— improving from nine to 19 goals scored and a 35 percent shooting percentage. The first round draft pick of the Oakville Rock finished his senior season with a career high 36 points scored.
Despite the abridged freshman campaign, Sabella was still coming off all-rookie and first-team honored season. He followed the rookie season by topping the team with 12 caused turnovers and scooping 22 groundballs.
However, Michael wasn’t the only Sabella to earn conference honors.
Rayna, the eldest sibling, earned a split of the Defensive Player of the Year award alongside UAlbany’s Clancy Rheude and was named to the First-Team. The Mount Sinai-native also forced 12 turnovers and scooped 21 groundballs, while also winning 12 draw control battles.
Other Stony Brook women’s lacrosse honored include Siobhan Rafferty earning a second team selection. She bounced back with 29 goals and 31 points after missing the entire 2020 season due to an ACL tear. Clare Levy was named to both the second team and all-rookie team while Kaylin Hart and Elle Masera were named on the all-rookie squad.
Both lacrosse programs will now turn their attention to the America East Semifinals tomorrow afternoon. The #6/7 women’s program are the top seed and will be hosting the women’s tournament, starting out against fourth-seeded UMBC at 3:30 p.m. The receiving votes men’s program is the third seed and will take on *19-ranked, second seeded Vermont at 4 p.m.
