The National Lacrosse League season wrapped up with a memorable moment for a Bonnies alum while the Premier Lacrosse League season is about to kick off with another Bonaventure product figuring prominently in that league.
Zack Belter, a 2023 graduate, captured an NLL Cup championship in his rookie season with the Buffalo Bandits.
Belter’s Bandits won their second consecutive NLL title with back-to-back wins over Albany, securing the championship with a 15-13 win in front of a sold out KeyBank Center May 18.
A Western New York native, Belter played in all five Buffalo playoff games with nine looseballs and two caused turnovers while also blocking two shots during the Bandits’ title push. After missing the start to the season due to injury, Belter played in eight regular season games with 17 looseballs, six caused turnovers and three blocked shots while also adding an assist.
Belter is the first Bonnies alum to win an NLL championship.
Brett Dobson Class of 2022
Dobson turned in a strong second NLL season in the cage for the Georgia Swarm as he ranked fifth in the league with 10 wins during the campaign.
Dobson made 555 saves and surpassed 1,000 saves for his young NLL career. He recorded a save percentage of nearly 78 percent along with a goals against average of 10.69. The Canadian native also handed out five assists from the net.
He was a key reason for Georgia earning a playoff spot this year, but the Swarm had their season end in heartbreaking fashion at the hands of the Bandits in overtime, 10-9, in the first round. Dobson stood on his head in the net that night, however, making 49 saves.
Dobson now turns his attention to the PLL slate which gets underway June 1. He captured MVP honors in the PLL Championship Game last summer and his reigning champion Utah Archers will look to defend their crown beginning with a nationally televised championship rematch vs. the Philadelphia Waterdogs Saturday, June 1 on ABC.
Sean Westley, Class of 2023
Westley enjoyed a strong rookie campaign with the Las Vegas Desert Dogs. Bona’s all-time leading scorer, he played in 14 games this year with 23 points – 10 goals and 13 assists. He also scooped up 32 looseballs and put 37 shots on goal.
Westley ranked sixth on the Las Vegas roster in total points for the year.
