WESTFIELD, Mass. – Westfield State seniors' Cassidy Connolly (Woburn, Mass.) and Shane Clark (Bellows Falls, Vt.) were the recipients of the Peter Mazza Athletics Award, presented to two student-athletes that excel in academics, athletic ability, sportsmanship, character, service, leadership, and professional development.

The Peter Mazza Athletics Award was presented by and is named in honor of Dr. Peter Mazza, the former vice-president of student affairs at Westfield State who remains a significant proponent of the student-athlete experience.

Connolly, a captain of the women's lacrosse team, was named the MASCAC Tournament MVP for the Owls after their 21-15 victory over Framingham State in the conference title game. Connolly scored three goals and three assists in a MASCAC semifinal win over Worcester State before tallying two goals and an assist in the title game. She also scored her 100^th-career point earlier this season, and ranks in the top ten in the MASCAC in goals with 46.

In her four-year career with the Owls, Connolly is currently 11^th on the Owls all-time points (134) list and set career-best marks in goals (46), assists (12), and points (58) this year. She carries 96 career goals into the NCAA Tournament as the Owls will face Babson College in a first-round game on Saturday.

Clark is a four-year member of both the football and track and field teams. On the football field, he served as a team captain, a running back, and a punter. He rushed for three touchdowns during the regular season, including two in the Owls final three games.

In track and field, Clark has been versatile, competing in various throwing events and pole vault. In 2022, Clark earned placement on the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Association's All-Region Team while also claiming All-New England honors in the javelin. He qualified for the New England Championships in the javelin and discus toss this outdoor season.