Matt Abbott (born September 10, 1986) is a professional lacrosse player for Cannons Lacrosse Club in the Premier Lacrosse League. He is a nine time MLL all star and the Bayhawks leader in career games played. Abbott played for the Bayhawks since graduating from Syracuse, where he played lacrosse for four years. He also works as a financial advisor and coaches for Colgate as a volunteer.
Personal
Matthew Joseph Abbott, born in Syracuse, NY, is the son of Tom and Lorie Abbott. Matt is the third member of the Abbott family to play for Syracuse University. His grandfather, Larry Abbott played at SU from 1950 to 1952. His father, Tom Abbott played from 1975 to 1978. His brother Michael played for University of Virginia, where he won a Division I national championship, and for SUNY Cortland, where he won a Division III national championship and is now the assistant offensive coach for Penn.
High school
Abbott played varsity lacrosse at Nottingham High School from eighth grade until his senior year. He totaled 212 career points (131 goals, 81 assists), with 42 goals and 29 assists his senior year. He was named team captain his sophomore, junior and senior year. He played for the 2004 Empire State Games Central Team, and helped them win a gold medal. Freshman Year: He earned honorable mention all-league laurels. Sophomore Year: Named first team all-league and All-CNY honorable mention. He was selected as an alternate for the Empire State Games Central team. Junior Year: First team all-league and first team All-CNY. Named his team's offensive MVP. Senior Year: First team all-league, first team All-CNY and All-American. Named team MVP.
College career
Syracuse University
Freshman Year (2006): Played in all 15 games with one start. Made his first career start against Massachusetts. Tallied seven goals and one assist for a total of eight points. Scooped up 11 ground balls and was 1-for-5 on faceoff opportunities. Netted two points on a season-high two goals in his first collegiate contest versus Army. Scored one goal versus Hobart, Loyola, Massachusetts, at Colgate and against Virginia in the NCAA semifinals. Registered his first career assist in the NCAA quarterfinals against Johns Hopkins. Member of the Athletic Director's Honor Roll both semesters.
Sophomore Year (2007): Played in all 13 games with one start. Second on the team with 51 ground balls. Scored 15 points (9g, 6a). Five multi-point games. Tallied a career-best three points, including a season-best two goals at Georgetown. Started versus Colgate and tied his season high with two goals. Scored two points (1g, 1a) versus Binghamton, Cornell and Albany. Also had goals against Virginia and Rutgers. Recorded assists at Loyola and Massachusetts. Named to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll both semesters.
Junior Year (2008): Named to the USILA All-America Third Team. Played in all 18 contests with 11 starts. Saw action in a variety of situations, including man-down and on clears. Also played some defensive midfield. Second on the team with 73 ground balls. Scored 21 points (13g, 8a). Went 2-for-4 (.500) on face offs. Registered the first hat trick of his career with three goals to help lead the Orange to a come-from-behind win against Virginia in the NCAA semifinals. Tied his career-best with three points against Binghamton and at Hobart, including a personal-best two assists in each game. Netted two goals at Colgate. Registered six points (5g, 1a) in SU's four NCAA Tournament games. Collected at least one point in five consecutive games against Massachusetts, Colgate, Canisius (NCAA), Notre Dame (NCAA) and Virginia (NCAA). Career-high eight ground balls against Princeton. Scooped up at least five ground balls seven times. Member of the SU Athletic Director's Honor Roll in the fall.