Men's Lacrosse: Top 10 Men's Tewaaraton candidates for 2008

Jordan Levine - UAlbany











1. Paul Rabil, Johns Hopkins, Sr, Midfield
Maybe the most impressive physical specimen in the sport, Rabil (6-3, 225) is built like an NFL running back. His passing ability developed last season as he dealt with double and triple teams, so his all-around game should be at its peak this spring.

2. Matt Danowski, Duke, Sr, Attack
The defending Tewaaraton Trophy winner enters the season ranked No. 2 for unfortunate reasons. Early in the fall, he tore a ligament in his foot doing conditioning drills. The ensuing surgery repaired the damage, but the effects might linger throughout ’08.

3. Ben Rubeor, Virginia, Sr, Attack
After a dominant senior class led the Cavaliers to the 2006 national title, Rubeor stepped up big time to lead Virginia last season. Now, with a greatly improved midfield to set him up, Rubeor could have an easier time in ’08.

4. Max Seibald, Cornell, Jr, Midfield
Seibald is about as good as middies get; well, except maybe for Rabil. A strong, fast, intelligent athlete who plays both ends of the field, Seibald is almost impossible to defend with one player. With Dave Mitchell gone, his dodging will be the engine that drives Cornell's offense.

5. Zack Greer, Duke, Jr, Attack
Is the deadliest finisher in Division I still the deadliest finisher without the best passer in Division I? This question might keep Greer from winning this award, although he might get a chance to prove himself without Danowsk: the 2007 Tewaaraton winner may miss some of the season after foot surgery.

6. Alex Hewit, Princeton, Sr, Goalie
The NCAA's best returning goalie, Hewit was a first team All-America in ’06. Most of his defense returns as well, so he'll face mostly shots he can handle. Princeton’s record will determine his chances of winning the Trophy.

7. Stephen Peyser, Johns Hopkins, Sr, Middie
Like Greer, Peyser could be overshadowed by a teammate, but he's definitely a Top 10 talent. And, if you want to compare him to Rabil, Peyser has a nice edge since he's also very strong on face-offs.

8. Danny Glading, Virginia, Jr, Attack
Glading is just about as polished as lacrosse players get. His skills are off the charts with both hands and his IQ and decision-making perfectly fit his offensive quarterback position. Like Greer and Peyser, he has a teammate that might overshadow him as well.

9. Brendan Cannon, Georgetown, Sr, Attack
On a team full of monster middies that can rip it from outside, Cannon's smaller, quicker style stands out like a rabbit running with horses. But he's tough to stop and he's the spark that gets Georgetown's offense going.

10. Jordan Levine, Albany, Sr, Middie
For a middie, 23 goals and 16 assists is really good. But Levine's most impressive statistic in ’07 was his 91 groundballs, an Albany single-season record that showcases his athleticism and all-around game.

UAlbany Places Four Players on the 2007 USILA Division I All-America Lacrosse Team

University at Albany’s Frank Resetarits leads a group of four players who have been chosen to the 2007 USILA All-America Team, as announced on Saturday, May 26 by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association. Resetarits, a finalist for the Tewaaraton Trophy, becomes the first Great Dane to earn first-team All-America honors at the Division I level.

UAlbany’s Jordan Levine (second team), Merrick Thomson (third team) and Brett Queener (honorable mention) were also recognized on the USILA All-America squad. Luke Daquino, an honorable mention selection two years ago, had been the lone All-American in the lacrosse program’s history since the Great Danes upgraded to Division I in 2000.

“These players have put the UAlbany lacrosse program on the national map,” said UAlbany coach Scott Marr, whose team was ranked second nationally for six consecutive weeks during the season. “Their selection to the All-America team shows how much we have grown and the respect UAlbany has gained across the country.”

Resetarits, the 2007 America East Conference Player of the Year, ranks third nationally in scoring with 57 goals and 23 assists for 80 points, the third-best total in UAlbany annals. The senior attackman tied a career-high with eight points (6 goals, 2 assists) in the conference tournament championship against UMBC. Resetarits, a three-time first-team All-America East standout, finished his career with a 49-game scoring streak, which equaled the longest mark among active Division I players. He ranks second on the school’s all-time scoring list with 241 points (158 goals, 83 assists).

Levine, a junior midfielder, totaled 23 goals and 16 assists. He ranked 17th nationally in ground balls at 5.06 per game, plus set the program’s Division I single-season record with 91. Levine, who scored multiple goals against eight opponents this season, equaled a career-best with five points (2 goals, 3 assists) vs. Loyola in the NCAA’s opening round. He scooped up a career-high 11 ground balls against both Stony Brook and UMBC in America East postseason play.

Thomson was voted all-conference four times, including a pair of first-team selections, during his career. He netted 56 goals and ranks third among the nation’s leaders at 3.11 per game. Thomson was named the America East Championship’s most outstanding player after accounting for 10 goals and two assists in the postseason tournament. A native of Stony Creek, Ontario, Thomson participated in the 66th Annual USILA North-South Classic along with UAlbany teammate Frank Resetarits. He finished as the program’s career scoring leader with 188 goals and 56 assists for 244 points.

Queener, a senior goalkeeper, posted a 9.68 goals against average and a .520 save percentage en route to setting a school record with 14 victories in the cage. He made double-figure saves on six occasions during the spring, including a season-high 14 against top-ranked Cornell in the NCAA quarterfinal round. Queener, who was also used as an attacker in man-advantage situations, added two goals and five assists.

UAlbany (15-3) captured its fourth America East championship in the last five years this spring. The Great Danes established a single-season record for victories, defeated seven top-20 opponents, recorded the first NCAA Division I win in the athletic program’s history, and reached the national lacrosse quarterfinals for the first time.

UAlbany's Frank Resetarits One of Five Finalists for Lacrosse's Tewaaraton Trophy

UAlbany's Frank Resetarits One of Five Finalists for Lacrosse's Tewaaraton Trophy

Washington, D.C. -- University at Albany’s Frank Resetarits has been named as one of five finalists for the Tewaaraton Trophy, which annually recognizes the top male collegiate lacrosse player in the United States. Joining Resetarits on the list are Duke’s Matt Danowski, Virginia’s Ben Rubeor, Cornell’s Max Seibard and Johns Hopkins’ Paul Rabil.

Resetarits, a senior attacker from Hamburg, N.Y., leads the nation in scoring with 54 goals and 21 assists. He has netted four or more goals against eight opponents this season. Resetarits was named the 2007 America East Conference Player of the Year. He has been voted to the all-conference team four times, including three first-team selections. Resetarits is currently tied with teammate Merrick Thomson for first place on the school’s all-time scoring list with 236 points (155 goals, 81 assists.)

Resetarits had six goals and two assists to tie a career-high point total in leading UAlbany to a 15-14 victory over UMBC in last Saturday’s America East championship game. The Great Danes will make their fourth NCAA appearance in the last five years when they host Loyola on Sunday, May 13 at 2:30 p.m. in the first round.

The Tewaaraton Trophy is the lacrosse equivalent of the Heisman Trophy. The winner will be announced on May 30.