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DiNola, Looney Share Team MVP Honors at Annual Lacrosse Banquet
May 10, 2007 ANNAPOLIS, Md. - All-American defenseman Jordan DiNola (Ballston Lake, N.Y.) and Tewaaraton Award finalist midfielder Billy Looney (Silver Spring, Md.) were named the co-recipients of the Lt. Robert T. Bianchi Award, presented to Navy's most valuable player, at the Mids' annual men's lacrosse banquet held last Saturday at Smoke Hall on the Yard of the U.S. Naval Academy. A two-time First-Team All-Patriot League selection, DiNola plays an integral role on Navy's defensive unit that is currently ranked No. 2 nationally in scoring defense, surrendering just 6.21 goal per game. Also a member of Navy's man-down team, the Mids have given 10 goals on 46 attempts, including just two goals over the last seven games (20 EMOs). Navy's defense has held 11 of its 13 opponents to single-digit goals this spring, including a one-goal output by archrival Army in the semifinals of the Patriot League Tournament. Looney, meanwhile, is a four-year starter who has garnered All-American recognition in each of the last two seasons and is expected to pick up his third honor during championship weekend. Navy's top scorer out of the midfield in each of the last two years, Looney is the team's third-leading scorer with 30 points on 17 goals and 13 assists. It's the first time in his career that he has reached the 30-point plateau, while his 13 assists are more than he amassed in his first two seasons at the Academy. Heading into the NCAA Tournament, Looney needs just one point to become the second player this season and the 28th overall to eclipse the 100-point milestone. The national award for the top midfielder is named in honor of former Navy lacrosse All-American Donald MacLaughlin, so it is only fitting that Navy's award for its most outstanding midfielder would also be in honor of MacLaughlin. Seniors William Wallace (Bloomfield Village, Mich.) and Tommy Wallin (Mountain Lakes, N.J.) share this year's award. Wallace has spent the last two years enjoying success on a national level as one of the premier face-off specialists. The two-time All-Patriot League selection stands third in the country with his 65.1 face-off winning percentage which also includes a 78.1 success rate in Patriot League contests. Wallace has also been strong on the offensive side of the field where he has scored 13 points on 10 goals and three assists. Wallin, meanwhile, has had a sensational senior campaign, scoring 22 points on 13 goals and nine assists. It marks the first time in his career that he has produced double-digit goals, while his nine assists exceeds his assist total (six) coming into the year. Three of his 13 goals this spring have gone down in the record book as game-winners, including both games against Army. He heads into the weekend owning an eight-game scoring streak, including seven consecutive with goals. Senior long stick defensive midfielder Victor Barger (Clifton Park, N.Y.) and shorty Geoff Leone (Massapequa, N.Y.) were presented the Willis P. Bilderback Award as the team's most outstanding defensive players. Barger has had a standout senior campaign which not only has featured excellence on the defensive side of the field, but he has punched in four goals for the Mids this spring. He scored pivotal goal in Navy's 12-9 Star Game win over Army in mid-April, while recording a goal and an assist in Navy's Patriot League Tournament wins over the Black Knights and Colgate two weeks ago. Leone, meanwhile, is one of the most underrated short stick defensive midfielders in the country. In just his second season, he has proved to be as valuable as any shorty the Mids have had in recent memory. Both have helped keep Navy atop the perch as one of the most stingy defensive units in the country. Attackmen Ian Dingman (Deferiet, N.Y.) and Nick Mirabito (Binghamton, N.Y.) received the Coach William H. "Dinty" Moore Award, presented to Navy's outstanding offensive player. Navy's top goal-scorer with 31, Dingman is the team's second-leading scorer with 39 points. He, along with Wallin, have scored a team-best three game-winning goals and the two are the only players on the roster with multiple game-winners this spring. Additionally, Dingman has produced a team-best seven hat tricks and is currently enjoying a 10-game goal-scoring streak. Mirabito has been nothing short of sensational this season, pacing the Midshipmen with 41 points on 23 goals and 18 assists. He has turned in a goal or an assist in 44 of the 45 games in which he has played, including 13 of the 14 this spring. The third-year starter at attack became the 27th player in program history to reach the 100-point plateau when he dealt out three assists in the Mids' loss to Johns Hopkins in April. Mirabito is coming off one of his most successful weekends wearing a Navy uniform. With six goals and three assists at the Patriot League Tournament, including a career-high four goals and two helpers in the championship game, Mirabito was named the Patriot League Tournament MVP. Team captain Andrew Dow (Hauppauge, N.Y.) was presented the Vice Adm. E.C. Waller Award, honoring a player who displays spirit, morale and dedication to the program. A three-year starter on defense, Dow has teamed up with DiNola and Brendan Teague to form one of the premier defensive squads in the country. In fact, Navy's defense was ranked No. 2 in 2004, No. 1 in '05 and '06 and this year the Mids are No. 2. Presented by Capt. Dan King, one of team's officer representatives, King said about Dow, "Leadership is what separates the men from the boys and I have been tremendously impressed and have every confidence Andrew will go on to have a very successful Navy career." Finally, seniors David Cohn (Cockeysville, Md.), Lyon Ellison (Stevensville, Md.) and John Reichert (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.) were presented with the Lt. j.g. Frank McKeone Award for their spirit, sportsmanship and service as unsung heroes of the team. All three have served as role players for the Midshipmen during their careers.
2007 Navy Lacrosse Award Recipients |
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