Four Towson Tigers Earn Prestigious 2026 USILA Scholar All-America Honors

By Brian Hradsky | Maryland Sports Blog

TOWSON, Md. — Academic excellence has become a defining trait of the Towson men’s lacrosse program, and that reputation continued to grow this summer as four Tigers earned one of the sport’s highest academic distinctions.

Towson seniors Matt Nilan, Alex Roussel, Ryan Schrier, and Joaquin Villagomez were each named 2026 USILA Scholar All-Americans, while the Tigers also received the USILA Team Academic Award for the third consecutive season after posting a team grade-point average above 3.0.

The honor reflects the culture head coach Shawn Nadelen has built in Towson’s program, one that emphasizes success both on the field and in the classroom. To qualify for Scholar All-America recognition, student-athletes must be nominated by their head coach, be seniors academically, maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA, and demonstrate significant athletic contributions during their collegiate careers.

For Towson, having four Scholar All-Americans in the same season highlights one of the strongest senior classes in recent program history.

Matt Nilan: Veteran Midfielder Leads By Example

Matt Nilan spent his Towson career developing into one of the Tigers’ dependable two-way midfielders. Throughout his collegiate career, Nilan earned respect for his versatility, willingness to play in every situation, and consistent work ethic.

Whether contributing offensively, battling for ground balls, or helping the Tigers in transition, Nilan became one of the veteran leaders on a team that competed once again near the top of the Coastal Athletic Association.

Away from the field, Nilan excelled academically while balancing the demands of Division I athletics, making him a natural selection for USILA Scholar All-America honors. The award recognizes not only his GPA but also the leadership he demonstrated throughout his career.

Alex Roussel: Defensive Anchor Excels On and Off the Field

Defense has long been one of Towson’s strengths, and Alex Roussel played an important role in maintaining that tradition.

Roussel developed into a reliable defender capable of matching up against some of the best offensive players in the CAA. His physical play, positioning, and communication helped stabilize the Tigers’ defensive unit throughout the season.

The Scholar All-America honor rewards years of dedication in the classroom as well. Balancing rigorous academics with the responsibilities of playing Division I lacrosse is no small task, and Roussel successfully excelled in both areas.

His recognition continues Towson’s tradition of producing academically accomplished defensive standouts.

Ryan Schrier: Leadership Through Consistency

Ryan Schrier built his collegiate career around consistency.

Every successful program needs players who can be counted on every day, and Schrier filled that role for Towson throughout his time with the Tigers. Coaches praised his preparation, professionalism, and commitment to improving both academically and athletically.

Those qualities translated into success in the classroom, where Schrier maintained the academic standards required to earn Scholar All-America recognition.

His selection reflects years of disciplined work and serves as another example of Towson’s commitment to developing complete student-athletes.

Joaquin Villagomez: Excellence Beyond Statistics

Joaquin Villagomez rounds out Towson’s impressive group of Scholar All-Americans.

While statistics often receive the headlines, Villagomez’s impact extended well beyond the box score. His commitment to team success, daily preparation, and academic achievement helped make him an invaluable member of the Tigers program.

The USILA Scholar All-America distinction recognizes players who represent the highest ideals of college athletics, and Villagomez exemplified those values throughout his career.

His recognition caps an outstanding collegiate experience that combined athletic performance with academic excellence.

Towson’s Academic Culture Continues to Grow

Receiving the USILA Team Academic Award for a third consecutive year demonstrates that Towson’s commitment to academics extends throughout the entire roster.

The Tigers continue to show that competing at a high level nationally does not require sacrificing classroom success. Instead, Towson has created an environment where student-athletes are expected to excel in both areas.

Programs earning the USILA Team Academic Award must achieve a cumulative team GPA of at least 3.0 during the academic year, placing Towson among the nation’s top academic lacrosse programs once again.

Continuing a Proud Tradition

Towson has become one of the premier men’s lacrosse programs in the region under Shawn Nadelen, combining NCAA Tournament appearances, CAA championships, and national recognition with an increasing number of academic honors.

This year’s four Scholar All-Americans continue that tradition and further strengthen Towson’s reputation as a program that develops leaders in every aspect of student-athlete life.

For Nilan, Roussel, Schrier, and Villagomez, the award represents years of dedication, sacrifice, and perseverance. Their accomplishments serve as a reminder that some of college athletics’ greatest victories occur far beyond the playing field.

Sources

1. Towson Tigers Athletics – Four Players Honored in 2026 USILA Academic Awards
2. USILA – 2026 Team Academic Awards
3. Towson Tigers Men’s Lacrosse Program
4. USILA Official Website
5. Towson Tigers Men’s Lacrosse History
6. Johns Hopkins 2026 USILA Scholar All-America announcement (award criteria and context)
7. Towson 2025 USILA Academic Awards announcement (program history)