May 1, 2013
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame men’s lacrosse team boasted six all-BIG EAST honorees when the accolades were presented Wednesday evening during the league’s annual awards banquet. Matt Kavanagh (Fr./A), John Kemp (Sr./G), Jim Marlatt (Jr./M) and Matt Miller (Sr./D) were named to the all-conference first team, while Stephen O’Hara (Jr./D) and Sean Rogers (Sr./A) were selected to the second team.
The six all-BIG EAST honorees matched a program record, which also was achieved in 2011 and 2012. Voting was conducted among the league’s seven head coaches, who were not permitted to vote for their own players.
Kavanagh (Rockville Centre, N.Y./Chaminade/Hotchkiss) leads Notre Dame in goals (25) and assists (13) this season. He tallied 11 goals and five assists in BIG EAST play. Kavanagh has nine multiple-goal games and he has scored two goals in seven of the last eight contests. He deposited four goals apiece in wins over Duke (13-5) and North Carolina (10-9 3OT) and has notched at least four points in six games this season. The rookie scored the overtime game winner against both Penn State and North Carolina. Kavanagh was chosen as the BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Tar Heels.
Kemp (Potomac, Md./Georgetown Prep) ranks ninth nationally in goals-against average (7.93) and has all 13 (10-3) of Notre Dame’s decisions in goal this season. Kemp, a Tewaaraton Award nominee, has made 105 saves this season (8.9 per game). He was tapped as the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week Feb. 18 after making 10 saves and limiting Duke to five goals in a 13-5 season-opening win. This is the third all-BIG EAST accolade for Kemp, who was named the league’s goalkeeper of the year last season in addition to being a first-team honoree. He was a second-team pick as a sophomore in 2011.
Marlatt (Clarksville, Md./River Hill) is Notre Dame’s leading scorer from the midfield this season with 18 goals and nine assists. He recorded seven goals and four assists in league games. Marlatt was named the BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week Feb. 18 after registering five goals and one assist in the victory at Duke. This is the second straight first team all-BIG EAST honor for Marlatt.
Miller (Warrenton, Va./Notre Dame Academy) has been a key reason why Notre Dame’s defense has ranked in the top-10 nationally all season. The Irish currently boast the country’s ninth-best goals-against average (8.08). Miller, a Senior CLASS Award finalist, has gathered 21 ground balls this season and was selected to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll April 15. Miller, a team captain, was named to the all-BIG EAST second team last season.
O’Hara (West Chester, Pa./St. Joe’s Prep) has also been a vital cog in Notre Dame’s stout defensive unit. He has started every contest and has picked up 27 ground balls and caused 12 turnovers. This is the first all-BIG EAST honor for O’Hara.
Rogers (New Hyde Park, N.Y./Holy Trinity) has accumulated 31 points on 20 goals and 11 assists this season. All of those figures rank second among Fighting Irish players. Rogers, an Irish team captain, tallied nine goals and five assists in BIG EAST action and was named to the league’s weekly honor roll three times. This is the second all-BIG EAST citation for Rogers, who was a first-team pick last season.
No. 5 Notre Dame (10-3, 4-2) will face No. 3 Syracuse (11-3, 5-1) Thursday in the semifinals of the BIG EAST Championship. Faceoff is slated for 4:30 p.m. (ET) at Villanova Stadium in Villanova, Pa. The game will be aired live on ESPNU and WatchESPN.com.
The Fighting Irish are the tournament’s No. 3 seed, while the Orange are the No. 2 seed. Top-seeded Villanova will face fourth-seeded Georgetown at 7 p.m. in the second semifinal. The championship game is slated for noon Saturday on ESPNU and WatchESPN.com. Villanova and Syracuse shared the league’s regular-season title.
2013 BIG EAST Men’s Lacrosse Awards
Attack Player of the Year: Kieran McArdle, St. John’s, Jr., A
Midfielder of the Year: JoJo Marasco, Syracuse, Sr., M
Defensive Player of the Year: John LoCascio, Villanova, Jr., LSM
Goalkeeper of the Year: Kris Alleyne, Rutgers, Fr., G
Coach of the Year: Mike Corrado, Villanova
All-BIG EAST First Team^
Matt Kavanagh, Notre Dame, Fr., A
John Kemp, Notre Dame, Sr., G
Jim Marlatt, Notre Dame, Jr., M
Matt Miller, Notre Dame, Sr., D
Kris Alleyne, Rutgers, Fr., G
*Kevin Cernuto, St. John’s, Jr., A
*Kieran McArdle, St. John’s, Jr., A
Luke Cometti, Syracuse, Sr., M
*JoJo Marasco, Syracuse, Sr., M
*Brian Megill, Syracuse, Sr., D
Chris Conroy, Villanova, Jr., D
Thomas Croonquist, Villanova, Jr., FO
John Kluh, Villanova, Fr., M
*John LoCascio, Villanova, Jr., LSM
^ – extra players added due to voting ties
* – unanimous selection
All-BIG EAST Second Team
Tyler Knarr, Georgetown, R-Jr., FO
Charlie McCormick, Georgetown, So., M
Reilly O’Connor, Georgetown, So., A
Stephen O’Hara, Notre Dame, Jr., D
Sean Rogers, Notre Dame, Sr., A
Andrew Barton, Providence, Jr., M
Joe Nardella, Rutgers, So., FO
Dillon Ayers, St. John’s, Sr., LSM
Jeff Lowman, St. John’s, Sr., G
Matt Harris, Syracuse, Jr., LSM
Derek Maltz, Syracuse, Jr., A
Max Hart, Villanova, Sr., M
Jack Rice, Villanova, Sr., A
–ND–