A connector assembly comprising: a first connector housing having a first connector body and a shroud member that is coupled the first connector body and defines a connector housing cavity that is disposed about a mating axis, the first connector body defining a plurality of first terminal apertures that are formed parallel to the mating axis and intersect the connector housing cavity; a plurality of male terminals that are fixedly coupled to the first connector housing, each of the male terminals being received in one of the first terminal apertures and having a portion that extends into the connector housing cavity; a pair of lock tabs disposed on opposite sides of the first connector housing, each of the lock tabs having a first lock tooth, a second lock tooth, and a lock recess that is disposed between the first and second lock teeth, each of the first lock teeth being disposed on a distal end of an associated one of the lock tabs; and a male terminal protector slidably received in the connector housing cavity and movable along the mating axis, the male terminal protector having a body, a plurality of terminal openings that are formed through the body, and a pair of lock projections, the terminal openings being disposed in-line with the male terminals, the lock projections being configured to deflect the lock tabs outwardly from the first connector housing as the male terminal protector is moved along the mating axis toward the male terminals, the lock projections being disposed in the lock recesses to position the male terminal protector in a protector pre-set position; and a lever that is pivotally coupled to the first connector housing, the lock tabs being coupled to the lever for pivoting motion therewith; wherein the portions of the male terminals that extend into the connector housing cavity are disposed between first connector body and the male terminal protector when the male terminal protector is in the protector pre-set position; wherein the male terminal protector is moveable along the mating axis toward the first connector body into a protector full-set position in which the portions of the male terminals extend through the male terminal protector. a first connector housing having a first connector body and a shroud member that is coupled the first connector body and defines a connector housing cavity that is disposed about a mating axis, the first connector body defining a plurality of first terminal apertures that are formed parallel to the mating axis and intersect the connector housing cavity; a plurality of male terminals that are fixedly coupled to the first connector housing, each of the male terminals being received in one of the first terminal apertures and having a portion that extends into the connector housing cavity; a pair of lock tabs disposed on opposite sides of the first connector housing, each of the lock tabs having a first lock tooth, a second lock tooth, and a lock recess that is disposed between the first and second lock teeth, each of the first lock teeth being disposed on a distal end of an associated one of the lock tabs; and a male terminal protector slidably received in the connector housing cavity and movable along the mating axis, the male terminal protector having a body, a plurality of terminal openings that are formed through the body, and a pair of lock projections, the terminal openings being disposed in-line with the male terminals, the lock projections being configured to deflect the lock tabs outwardly from the first connector housing as the male terminal protector is moved along the mating axis toward the male terminals, the lock projections being disposed in the lock recesses to position the male terminal protector in a protector pre-set position; and a lever that is pivotally coupled to the first connector housing, the lock tabs being coupled to the lever for pivoting motion therewith; wherein the portions of the male terminals that extend into the connector housing cavity are disposed between first connector body and the male terminal protector when the male terminal protector is in the protector pre-set position; wherein the male terminal protector is moveable along the mating axis toward the first connector body into a protector full-set position in which the portions of the male terminals extend through the male terminal protector.