Massachusetts Lacrosse Signs Seven to NLIs for 2010-2011

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AMHERST, Mass. - UMass men's lacrosse NLI signee Ryan Izzo set the Massachusetts state high school record for career scoring (686 points) and touchdowns (96) as a senior football player at Walpole High School. Izzo was one of seven early signees for the 2010-2011 men's lacrosse season.

The senior running back set the records last weekend as he scored one touchdown and kicked just two extra points Sunday during a 35-14 loss to Natick, but it was enough to give him Massachusetts career records with 686 points and 96 touchdowns.

The previous records -- both held by Nathan Sherr of Austin Prep (2003-06) -- were 682 points and 95 touchdowns. He also finished No. 2 in career rushing yardage (5,895). The record is 6,688, set in 1995. In addition, he has gone 101 of 117 in extra points and 3 of 4 in field goals.

The 5-foot-9, 175-pound Izzo said the records "feel great. It's a terrific honor. It's been a great time in my life. Coming today (first loss in 10 games), I can't really give a full answer. Going back to my sophomore year, our offensive line has done a terrific job of downfield blocking."

Izzo said he would trade his records in a moment for a victory against the undefeated Natick powerhouse. He conceded there was "some pressure" late in the season as he approached the records. "You'd see it in the papers and it was on the school announcements," he noted. "I'm glad I got it over finally."

However, his football career isn't quite yet complete. He can add to his legend when the Rebels take on Weymouth in their traditional Thanksgiving Day finale. Izzo will play midfield this spring at Walpole. Izzo had 58 goals and 15 assists as a junior and has 93 goals for his career.

Izzo will be joined at UMass by six others who signed during the early signing period: face-off specialist Joseph Calvello (Naperville North in Illinois), defenseman Conor Casey (Mount St. Joseph's in Maryland), long-stick midfielder Bryson Craft (Episcopal in Philadelphia), defenseman James Fahey (St. John's Prep in Danvers, Mass.), midfielder Tyler Knight (St. Andrews in Florida) and attackman Connor Mooney (Avon Old Farms in Connecticut from Wilbraham, Mass.)