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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VAUniversity of Virginia head men’s lacrosse coach Dom Starsia is pleased to announce the team’s award winners for the 2008 season. The Cavaliers finished with an14-4 record and advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament where they fell to eventual national champion Syracuse 12-11 in double overtime.
Attackman Ben Rubeor captured two awardsthe Dr. Allen Voshell Award as the team’s most valuable player as well as the Harry Gaver Award for leadership. He missed the first three games of the season, but still led the team with 38 goals and was named a second-team All-American. One of five finalists for the Tewaaraton Trophy as the player of the year, He finished his career ranked fifth in UVa history with 136 goals and sixth in total points (212). A May graduate with a degree in English, he was named a second-team Academic All-America.
Longstick midfielder Pike Howard received the E. Doyle Smith Award for having the team’s highest grade point average. He graduated in May with a degree in economics and compiled a 3.79 GPA during the academic year. He made four appearances as a reserve and had one ground ball.
Attackman Danny Glading was named the team’s offensive MVP. He had a dynamic season and led the team in points (65) and assists (35) to earn second-team All-American honors. He ranked sixth in the nation in assists with an average of 1.74 per game and was 14th in scoring at 3.61 points per game. A standout in the classroom, he was named to the Atlantic Coast Conference All-Academic lacrosse team as well.
Defensemen Ryan Nizolek was selected the team’s Most Improved Player. The Madison, Conn., native moved into the starting line-up midway through the season and gave the defense a lift. An athletic player, he snared 41 ground balls, including six in an NCAA Tournament win over UMBC. His 11 caused turnovers ranked fifth on the team.
Longstick midfielder Mike Timms and defenseman Ken Clausen shared the team’s defensive MVP award. Timms had another disruptive season in ’08 for the Cavaliers and was second on the team in both ground balls (48) and caused turnovers (24). He graduated in May with a degree in economics and is currently enrolled in a graduate program in the McIntire School of Commerce.
Clausen was a first-team All-American as a sophomore last season becoming the youngest defenseman named to the first-team since 1989. He led the team with 59 ground balls, fifth in the nation among close defensemen, as well as caused turnovers (28).
Goalie Mark Wade won the Lawrie Riggs Award for commitment and citizenship. He appeared in four games and made three saves while compiling a 9.77 goals allowed average.
Midfielder Joe Dewey received the Tom Rixey Award for spirit and inspiration. One of the team’s emotional leaders and a tireless worker, he scored two goals and added two assists in five games.
Kevin Coale received the Class of ’99 Unsung Hero Award. One of the hardest workers on the team, he switched from midfield to defense prior to the season and scooped three ground balls in four contests. He graduated in May with a degree in history.
“It is my pleasure to announce our team award winners for this past season,” Starsia said. “For a young Virginia team to reach the NCAA semifinals, there was a fundamental requirement for leadership and performance. This team won five one-goal games and came within a whisper of playing for the national championship. There were a number of memorable performances throughout the year and Ben Rubeor’s career will forever be distinguished by his courage and excellence, on and off the field.”