King garners major award; three named All-League
5/2/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
 |
“I felt like we had a strong year and the guys are happy with what we were able to accomplish,” explains head coach Chris Wakley, who just completed his fifth season. “That being said, we are certainly hungry for more, but can still take away a lot from this past season. Jeff King did a good job of leading this team all year long and this is a well deserved honor for him to be recognized on both the First Team and as the Defensive Player of the Year. The entire coaching staff felt as though he could win games for us on the defensive end, which is a tough thing to do.”
Wakely continues, “It’s good to see Alec recognized for the second straight season, and for the first time as a First-Team selection. And also for Blake to be honored after having a very strong year for us. It’s exciting to know that both of those guys will be coming back for what we predict will be big senior years, but we will also miss our current senior class, for everything they have meant to Lehigh lacrosse over their four years here.”
King established himself as one of the most dominant defensemen in the league this season, often drawing the opposition’s toughest assignment. The
In Lehigh’s season finale versus No. 6 Navy in the Patriot League Tournament, King scored his first goal of the season, and 12th of his career. King, who made the switch from midfield to defense before the start of his sophomore season, is an All-America candidate this season, and finished his career for the Mountain Hawks with over 240 ground balls. King becomes Lehigh's 12th all-time major award winner, and first since 1999, when Todd Schreiner was honored as the Defensive Player of the Year and John McCloskey took home Coach of the Year honors. King joins Schreiner and Scott Youmans (1995) as the only Lehigh players to ever be named Defensive Player of the Year.
This is Hooff’s second straight season on the All-League squad, after being selected to the Second Team a year ago. The midfielder netted a career-high 14 goals this season and handed out seven assists, while adding 16 ground balls. His 21 points ranked within the top-20 of the Patriot League, as did his goal and assist numbers. Hooff came on strong towards the end of the season, scoring five goals in the team’s last four games, including a hat trick versus No. 17 Notre Dame. The finance major scored two or more goals in five games this season and for his career, Hooff has appeared in 42 games, with 29 goals and 22 assists.
With a career-high 22 goals, and also 11 assists, Best established himself as one of Lehigh’s most potent offensive weapons. The
Lehigh has now placed at least two student-athletes on the All-League teams for 13 consecutive seasons, dating back to 1994, and has had at least three players selected 11 of those years.
2006 Patriot League Men’s Lacrosse All-League Teams
First Team Second Team
Attack Attack
Jon Birsner, Navy John Walker, Army
Ian Dingman, Navy Matt Lalli, Colgate
Mike Obringer, Army Blake Best, Lehigh
Midfield Midfield
Billy Looney, Navy Steve Looney, Navy
Robert Trasolini, Colgate Brandon Corp, Colgate
Alec Hooff, Lehigh Ryan Chase, Army
Face-Off Specialist Jon Burton, Army
William Wallace, Navy Face-Off Specialist
Defensive Midfield Specialist Chris Eck, Colgate
Ward Hackett, Navy
Defense Defensive Midfield Specialist
Matt Luyster, Army Keon West, Lafayette
Colin Hume, Colgate Victor Barger, Navy
Jeff King, Lehigh Defense
Jordan DiNola, Navy Michael Abou Jaoude, Bucknell
Goal Brendan Teague, Navy
Matt Russell, Navy Andrew Dow, Navy
Goal
Matt Baran, Bucknell
Offensive Player of the Year: Jon Birsner, Navy
Defensive Player of the Year: Jeff King, Lehigh
Goaltender of the Year: Matt Russell, Navy
Rookie of the Year: Joe Mele, Bucknell
Coach of the Year: Jim Nagle, Colgate
