May 2, 2008

RICHMOND, Va. - Freshman defenseman John Lade (Randolph, N.J.) has been named an All-CAA first team selection and a member of the league's All-Rookie team, it was announced today. Lade is the lone freshman to appear on the league's first team all-conference squad.

The top Villanova recruit in this year's freshman class showcased outstanding potential in his first collegiate season and was one of the focal points of the Wildcats defensive efforts on the field. Lade led the team with 53 ground balls and 11 caused turnovers during the season, averaging nearly four ground balls per game.

In addition to his defensive responsibilities, Lade was also used at times as a face-off specialist. He won 17-of-39 face-off chances for a winning percentage of 44 percent.

Villanova forced its opponents into an average of 15.6 turnovers per game and allowed just over nine goals per game for the season. Lade was part of a starting defensive unit that also included junior Eddie DiDonato (Blue Bell, Pa.) and sophomore Bryan McCartney (Doylestown, Pa.).

The Wildcats recovered from a 1-7 start to the season to win four of their next five games and clinch one of four spots in the CAA Championship for the fifth time in the last seven years. Villanova wound up going 4-3 down the stretch of the season and was eliminated in the CAA semifinals, 11-5, by top-seeded Drexel.

During that seven-game stretch to end the season, the Wildcats lowered their goals-against average to 6.93 goals per game and held the opposition to just 17.0 shots on goal per game. Lade had 18 ground balls, seven caused turnovers and went 7-of-16 on face-off chances in the seven games.

Hofstra freshman attack Jay Card beat out Lade for Rookie of the Year honors and but was a second team All-CAA selection. Card was the only other freshman to earn all-league honors. The other major award winners included Drexel goalkeeper Bruce Bickford (Player of the Year), Hofstra midfielder Kevin Unterstein (Defensive Player of the Year) and Drexel coach Chris Cates (Coach of the Year).

The All-CAA first team consisted of attacks Andrew Chapman (Drexel), Curtis Dickson (Delaware) and Jonathan Engelke (Towson); midfielders Martin Cahill (Delaware), Anthony Muscarella (Hofstra) and Kevin Unterstein (Hofstra); long-stick midfielder Steve Grossi (Drexel); face-off specialist Ryan West (Drexel); defenders Evan Crowther-Washburn (Delaware), John Lade (Villanova) and Matt McCormick (Drexel); and goalie Bruce Bickford (Drexel).

The All-CAA second team consisted of attacks Colin Ambler (Drexel), Jay Card (Hofstra) and Andrew Watt (Robert Morris); midfielders Greg Casey (Drexel), Eric Boyle (Towson) and Mike Unterstein (Hofstra); long-stick midfielder Steve Prifte (Hofstra); face-off specialist Mitchell Rosensweig (Towson); defenders Pat Healy (Sacred Heart), Ryan O'Donnell (Towson) and Brett McGlensey (Sacred Heart); and goalie Tom Scherr (Delaware).

The All-Rookie team consisted of Jay Card (A, Hofstra), Tim Stratton (A, Towson), John Lade (D, Villanova), Pat Dowling (D, Delaware), Scott Perri (A, Drexel), Steve DeNapoli (M, Hofstra), Corbyn Tao-Brambleby (A, Robert Morris), Tim Langmaid (LSM, Delaware), Keith Lee (M, Robert Morris) and Trevor Moore (A, Robert Morris).

Villanova finished the season with a 5-10 overall record and 3-3 mark in regular season CAA games.