WESTFIELD, Mass. -- With the end of the fall regular season, Worcester State has the most points in the first round of the Howard C. Smith Cup standings. The Smith Cup is awarded annually to the member institution which compiles the most points based on the placement of each of its programs competing in the 15 league championship sports.

The Smith Cup is named in honor of former Massachusetts State College Trustee Howard C. Smith, who in 1970, urged the athletic directors of the eight State institutions to hold a series of meetings to discuss the possibility of forming an intercollegiate conference. In June of 1971, Smith’s dream became a reality as an affirmative agreement was reached and the MASCAC was created.

Worcester State grabs the top spot at the end of the fall season with 57 points (75 percent) out of a possible 76 points. The Lancers finished atop the MASCAC standings in both men’s and women’s soccer and field hockey while finishing second in women’s cross country and fourth in men’s cross country and volleyball. Sitting in second with 50.5 points (66.45 percent) out of 76 possible points is Bridgewater State. The Bears finished first in football, third in both men’s and women’s cross country plus women’s soccer and field hockey. 

Close behind in third with 50 points (65.79 percent) out of 76 available points is Westfield State. The Owls took home first place in men’s and women’s cross country while finishing second in field hockey, volleyball and women’s soccer. Framingham State is up next in fourth with 45.50 points (59.87 percent) out of 76 possible points. The Rams were first at the end of the regular season in volleyball, second in football, third in men’s soccer and fourth in women’s soccer. 

Massachusetts Maritime tallied 28 points (43.75 percent) out of 64 possible points to grab the fifth spot. The Buccaneers finished second in men’s soccer, third in football and fifth in men’s cross country. Fitchburg State is sixth at the end of the fall season with 27.50 points (42.97 percent) out of a possible 64 points. The Falcons were second in men’s cross country, fourth in men’s cross country and field hockey.  

Rounding the fall standings are MCLA and Salem State in seventh and eighth, respectively. The Trailblazers collected 18.50 points (35.58 percent) out of 52 possible points. The team finished second in volleyball and tied for fourth in men’s soccer following the end of the fall regular season. The Vikings netted 11 points (22.92 percent) out of 48 possible points and finished tied for fifth in both field hockey and women’s soccer. 

The 2016-17 Howard C. Smith Cup standings through the fall sports seasons are as follows: