May 20, 2003

Duke's Kevin Cassese has been named one of five finalists for the third annual Tewaaraton Award, the most coveted and prestigious honor a varsity lacrosse player can receive and a symbol of excellence in college lacrosse.

The finalists are Cassese (Duke University; Midfield, Sr.), Adam Doneger (Johns Hopkins University; Midfield; Sr.), Kyle Harrison (Johns Hopkins University; Midfield; So.), Michael Powell (Syracuse University; Midfield; Jr.) and Chris Rotelli (University of Virginia; Midfield; Sr.).

The finalists and winner will be honored at the Tewaaraton Awards Dinner on Wednesday, June 4th at the National Geographic Building in Washington, DC.

In 2003, Cassese became the fifth player in Duke history to earn all-league honors in three consecutive seasons. For the second straight season, he led the ACC in both grounds balls per game (5.67) and face-off percentage (.600) while also ranking tied for seventh in the league in goals per game (1.67). Cassese finished the year with 35 points on 25 goals and 10 assists while winning 72-of-120 face-offs.

Doneger is the workhorse on Hopkins' offense attack. He has helped lead his team to the No. 1 ranking in the country and into the NCAA Semifinals for the fourth time in the last five years with a two goal one assist performance against Towson.

Harrison is one of the most exciting and explosive players in the country, he is one of two underclassmen in the running for the Tewaaraton Trophy. He has also help lead John Hopkins into the NCAA Semifinals against Syracuse this weekend at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

Powell is the reigning Tewaaraton Trophy Winner and two-time Attackman of the Year recipient. He has amassed 62 points on the season on 31 goals and 31 assists to help lead the Orangeman to the NCAA Semifinals this weekend against No. 1 ranked Johns Hopkins.

Rotelli became the first Cavalier midfielder in 15 years to win the ACC Player of the Year Award in 2003. He has averaged 3.18 points per game this season and is the only player in the ACC to rank in the top five in goals (4th), assists (4th) and scoring (2nd). Virginia will play this weekend in the NCAA semifinals against Maryland.