COLCHESTER, Vt. - Saint Michael's College men's lacrosse May graduate Sebastian Simonson (Spruce Grove, Alberta/Spruce Grove Composite) was named New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (NEILA) Player of the Year on Friday, while he and classmate Ethan Hughes (Trumbull, Conn./Trumbull) were recognized with NEILA All-New England accolades.
 
Simonson was among three first team attackmen, and one of six placed on two teams. Hughes was in the three-man midfield second team contingent, as six were chosen for two squads. Simonson is the first member of his program to land three career NEILA All-New England accolades, earning a spot on the first team for the second straight year, while Hughes claimed his first all-region honor. Also the Northeast-10 Conference Offensive Player of the Year, Simonson is the initial Purple Knight student-athlete to receive a major postseason honor from the NEILA.
 
Simonson leads the NCAA Division II North Region in points per game, is second in assists per game, and sits fourth in goals per game. He notched 68 points, 36 goals and 32 helpers as a senior, setting school records for points and assists. Simonson stands fourth in NCAA Division II in points per game, eighth in assists average, and 20th in goals per game. While also setting school marks for career goals (134) and points (213), the captain is 15th in NE10 history in both categories. He adds to a list of laurels that includes being named All-America by both the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) and USA Lacrosse in 2024, with All-America recognition pending for this spring.
 
A second-year captain, Hughes reached a career high in goals (16) while potting six man-up strikes, one short of the NE10 lead. While finishing with 86 career points, Hughes is tied for fourth in program annals with 15 man-up goals.
 
The Purple Knights, who earned a national ranking this season, finished 7-6 overall and 2-6 in NE10 play. With 16 wins the last two seasons, they had their best two-year stretch since winning 22 games in 2012 and 2013.