Cavaliers Place Four on the USILA All-America Team
May 24, 2017
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia men’s lacrosse players Dox Aitken, Ryan Conrad, Michael Kraus and Zed Williams were named to the 2017 USILA All-America team, as announced by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association. Conrad was named to the third team, while Aitken, Kraus and Williams were all named honorable mention All-Americans.
The All-America accolades for Williams is his second career nod, while Aitken, Conrad and Kraus each picked up their first career All-America honors. Williams also earned honorable mention honors in 2016.
Aitken (Fr., Villanova, Pa.) shattered UVA’s freshmen record for goals (29) and points (40) by a midfielder. He led the nation’s midfielder freshmen with 29 goals. He was No. 9 in the ACC with 29 goals and No. 2 among the league’s midfielders.
Conrad (So., Timonium, Md.) led UVA with 63 ground balls, which is the most in the nation by a non-defensive player or faceoff specialist. The midfielder finished the year with 17 goals and 11 assists and has caused 10 turnovers. Conrad was the only sophomore named to the All-ACC team last month.
Kraus (Fr., New Canaan, Conn.) led UVA with 34 goals and 56 points. Kraus’ 56 points rank No. 2 all-time at UVA among freshmen. His 34 goals rank No. 3 in the ACC. Kraus was the only freshman on the All-ACC team and the seventh Cavalier all-time to earn All-ACC honors as a freshman since the league started putting together an All-ACC team in 1977. Kraus was also named ACC Freshman of the Year.
Williams (Sr., Irving, N.Y.) was on the 2017 Tewaaraton Trophy watch list and led UVA with 25 assists. He was second on the team with 52 points and 54 ground balls. Williams’ 54 ground balls are No. 2 behind Conrad for most in the nation among non-defensive players or faceoff specialists. Williams was the first player in the nation to reach the 20-20, 30-30, 40-40 and 50-50 club in points and ground balls. He is the only attackman in the nation with 50 ground balls. Williams also was named to the All-ACC team last month.