Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/7/20 – Staff Report
Penn State senior defenseman and captain Nick Cardile (Avon Grove) announced Monday he will be utilizing the NCAA’s waiver to return to the Nittany Lions in 2021.
Cardile led the Nittany Lions in caused turnovers with eight in 2020 despite missing the final two games of the season. He was named a Second-Team Inside Lacrosse/Media All-American last week.
Cardile also had the honor of wearing the honorary No. 16 jersey given to a senior who embodies the spirit of late Penn State goalie Connor Darcey.
Cardile is the second senior to announce his return to Penn State, following attackman and fellow Second-Team IL All-American Mac O’Keefe’s announcement on Friday. Last week First-Team IL All-American and 2019 Tewaaraton finalist Grant Ament (red-shirt senior in his fifth year at PSU) announced he would not return for a fifth year of eligibility.
As a junior at Penn State, Cardile was named an Honorable Mention USILA All-American for a team that won the Big Ten title and reached the NCAA Final Four at Lincoln Financial Field. He started all 18 games, finishing with 40 ground balls, 22 caused turnovers and three points on one goal and two assists.
At Avon Grove as a senior, Cardile was a US Lacrosse All-American, A First Team All-Phillylacrosse.com pick, All-EPLCA, All-Ches-Mont First Team, and Co-Ches-Mont MVP.
Cardile wrote on Twtter: Over the past four years wearing the Blue and White, I have grown and learned so much. With the current world events and the recent decision to cancel the 2020 season, I have learned to cherish every moment.
“With that in mind, I have decided that I will be returning to Happy Valley to wear the Blue and White for one last year! I want to acknowledge and thank my senior classmates from the past season for the effort they put in every day to the Penn State lacrosse legacy. I’m excited to get back to work with Team 108!”
