Loudonville, N.Y. – Virginia Military Institute senior Kevin Hill has been selected Men’s Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Year, while Providence College senior Ben Johnston earned Defensive Player of the Year honors to headline the 2008 MAAC Men’s Lacrosse League All-Conference Teams, as voted by the league’s head coaches.

Additionally, Canisius’ Nick LoCoco was named the Rookie of the Year, while Providence’s Chris Burdick was chosen as the Anaconda Sports Coach of the Year.

Hill, a 6-foot attackman from Rockville Centre, New York, helped lead VMI to its first appearance in the MAAC Lacrosse League Championship in program history. He is first in the conference and 15^th in the nation in points per game (3.54). In addition, Hill is currently fifth in the MAAC in goals per game (1.77) and second in assists (1.77). He was named the Offensive Player of the Week on two separate occasions.

Johnston, a 6-foot-3 defender, anchored the Friars’ stingy defense that was a major factor in earning a share of the MAAC Lacrosse League regular season title and the number one seed at the MAAC Championship. Providence is currently ranked third in the nation in scoring defense and 13^th in man-down defense.

The 5-foot-9 LoCoco has had an outstanding rookie campaign. His 2.38 assists per game ranks first in the MAAC and second in the nation, while his 3.15 points per game rank second in the conference. His offensive output propelled the Golden Griffins to a share of the regular season title. LoCoco received Rookie of the Week honors twice in 2008.  

Burdick, currently in his 10^th season at Providence, led the Friars to their fourth regular season championship and eighth straight appearance at the MAAC Tournament. His disciplined style of play is a big part of the Friars’ success. The team currently leads the league in fewest penalties (43), fewest penalty minutes per game (2.46), and fewest turnovers per game (7.43). Providence is also first in the conference with a 6.13 goals against average.

First Team All-MAAC selections include Canisius’ LoCoco and Adam Jones, Manhattan’s Corey Dolik, Providence’s Johnston and Mark Dillon, Saint Joseph’s goalkeeper Erik Hotaling, Siena’s Ryan Duggan and Chris Viviano, and VMI’s Hill and Tim Moran.

2008 MAAC Men’s Lacrosse League Awards

All-MAAC First Team

Attack

Ryan Duggan, Siena College

Kevin Hill, Virginia Military Institute
Nick LoCoco, Canisius College

Midfield
Mark Dillon, Providence College
Adam Jones, Canisius College
Tim Moran, Virginia Military Institute

Defense
Corey Dolik, Manhattan College
Ben Johnston, Providence College
Chris Viviano, Siena College

Goalkeeper

Erik Hotaling, Saint Joseph’s University

All-MAAC Second Team

Attack
Mike Blocho, Canisius College
Scott Cullinan, Saint Joseph’s University
Matt Girsh, Siena College
Bennett Murphy, Providence College
Corey Zindel, Marist College

Midfield

Jackson Fallon, Providence College
Tom Hensel, Canisius College
Brian Wynne, Manhattan College

Defense

Lou Aboyoun, Marist College
Dylan Cox, Providence College
Matt Nealis, Mount St. Mary’s College
Ryan Riedl, Providence College
Steven Sternberg, Manhattan College
James Taylor, Marist College
Phil Thomas, Mount St. Mary’s College
Tom Wengenosky, Saint Joseph’s University

Goalkeeper

Brent Herbst, Siena College

Offensive Player of the Year

Kevin Hill, Virginia Military Institute

Defensive Player of the Year

Ben Johnston, Providence

Rookie of the Year

Nick LoCoco, Canisius College

Anaconda Sports Coach of the Year

Chris Burdick, Providence College