Pitt Names Five Captains for 2016

Published: Nov 5, 2015

General News
Central Collegiate Lacrosse Association
Pittsburgh Panthers

PITTSBURGH – The University of Pittsburgh announced that it has named five captains for the upcoming 2016 season. Zak Hindman, Chris Wetzel, Travis O’Connor, Matthew Higgins, and Ned Melanson have been tasked with guiding this edition of the Panthers.

Chris Wetzel is a senior attackman and two-time captain. Wetzel, a native of Carlisle, Pa., is studying mechanical engineering. With 32 goals and 37 assists, Wetzel was a first team All-CCLA selection while also earning an honorable mention MCLA All-American nod.

Zak Hindman is a senior close defender and two-time captain for the Panthers. Hindman hails from Pittsburgh and is majoring in mathematics and economics. Hindman scooped 42 groudballs last season and was an honorable mention all-conference long-stick midfielder. Hindman plays both close and the LSM position, while also taking face-offs when needed.

Senior goalie Travis O’Connor returns as a two-time captain, as well. O’Connor is from Abington, Pa., and studies finance at Pitt’s business school. With 282 saves and a save percentage of 70.9, O'Connor was a second team All-CCLA keeper and an honorable mention All-American.

A native of Newark, Del., junior attackman Matthew Higgins is one of two new captains this year. Leading the Panthers with 46 goals last season, not to mention 33 assists, Higgins was named to the second team All-CCLA squad and was also an honorable mention All-American. In addition to dominating on attack, Higgins majors in neuroscience and is a Midshipman in Pitt’s NROTC program.

Senior close defender Ned Melanson is another first-year captain for the Panthers. Hailing from Portland, Maine, Melanson majors in mathematics and economics and earned third team All-CCLA accolades in ‘16.

Pittsburgh ended a successful fall on Nov. 3, and is looking ahead to a 2016 season that brings a slew of top-ranked opponents. Pitt fields the largest team it has had in years, improving the squad’s depth and adding talented players at all positions. These new players will be led by a group of returning players that remains strong after a small 2015 graduating class.