April 24, 2008

CENTER VALLEY, Pa. - Anchoring the nation's No. 1-ranked scoring defense, Navy senior Jordan DiNola (Ballston Lake, N.Y.) has been named the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year, it was announced by the league office Thursday morning. The two-time All-American was the favorite to receive the honor after the league's coaches and sports information directors selected DiNola as their preseason pick to capture the award.

One of just 22 players nationwide to be named a 2008 Tewaaraton Trophy candidate, DiNola has been a major fixture among the Mids' nationally-ranked defensive unit over the last several years. Having played in 55 of the 59 games since the beginning of 2005, DiNola has started 43 consecutive games at close defense.

This season he has helped Navy secure a No. 1 ranking in fewest goals allowed per game (scoring defense), surrendering 75 goals in 13 games (5.71). Navy, meanwhile, is the only team in Div. I lacrosse to hold its opponents to fewer than six goals per game this year. The Mids have held nine of their 13 opponents to seven or fewer goals this spring, winning 21 in a row when achieving this feat. They have given up double-figure goals just seven times in the last 43 games (2006-present) and nine times in the last 59 games (2005-present).

Earlier this season, the Mids held No. 3 Maryland scoreless for the first 41 minutes of the game, an almost unheard of accomplishment as the Terps entered the game averaging better than 12 goals per contest. It was the first time since 2005 that Maryland had been shut out in a half. Meanwhile, Navy held Lehigh and Holy Cross to a combined 36 shots midway through the season. It held Lehigh without a shot in the first quarter of the game, while the Crusaders managed just two shots in the opening half.

Amazingly DiNola is the first Navy player to capture defensive player of the year kudos in the league despite the fact Navy has been ranked No. 1 in the nation three times (2005, '06, '08) in scoring defense since joining the league in 2004, while finishing second in 2004 and third in 2007. In four of those five seasons, Navy was the top-ranked scoring defense (2007 - Bucknell) in the Patriot League.

While DiNola picked up the league's defensive player of the year award, Colgate's Brandon Corp was selected as the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year for the second straight season, Army's Adam Fullerton was named the league's goalkeeper of the year and Lafayette's Tom Perini garnered rookie of the year kudos. In his third season at Army, Joe Alberici was named the Patriot League Coach of the Year after leading the Black Knights to their first No. 1 seed in the league's postseason tournament.

Navy, meanwhile, continues to prepare for its first-round Patriot League Tournament match-up against third-seeded Colgate on Friday. The Midshipmen, who have won four-consecutive Patriot League Tournament titles, will battle the Raiders in the second semifinal beginning at approximately 7:00 pm. Top-seeded Army and No. 4 Bucknell will open tournament play on Friday at 4:00 pm at Michie Stadium in West Point, N.Y.

The Patriot League Championship Game is set for Sunday, April 27 at 2:00 pm and will be televised live on CBS College Sports Network. Major League Lacrosse Director of Broadcast Content Jason Chandler (play by play) and former Syracuse All-American Paul Carcaterra (analyst) will call the action. The tournament winner will receive an automatic bid to play in the NCAA Championship.

Tickets for the Patriot League Men's Lacrosse Tournament can be purchased by calling the Army ticket office at 1-877-TIX-ARMY or logging on to www.goARMYsports.com. Tickets can also be bought on game day at Michie Stadium. Tickets for the semifinal games are $6 for adults and $4 for students, while the championship game tickets have been priced at $10 for adults and $5 for students. All students from the four participating schools will receive free admission to all three games by showing a school ID. Additionally, groups of 10 or more will be admitted for $2 per person, however to take advantage of the reduced rate, please purchase the tickets in advance. The group rate will not be honored by walking up to the ticket counter on game day.

2008 Patriot League Major Award Winners
Offensive Player of the Year     Brandon Corp, Colgate
Defensive Player of the Year     Jordan DiNola, Navy
Goalkeeper of the Year           Adam Fullerton, Army
Rookie of the Year               Tom Perini, Lafayette
Coach of the Year                Joe Alberici, Army