May 12, 2009
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Penn State Nittany Lion head coach Glenn Thiel has announced the 2009 Penn State Nittany Lion lacrosse team awards. The awards are given each year at the team's annual picnic. Senior goalie Drew Adams (Springfield, Pa.) dominated the awards, getting three of the six given.
Adams, a two-time honorable mention All-American and three-time ECAC Goalie of the Year, ended the season with a stellar 7.96 goals against average, a .652 save percentage and 212 saves. One of the greatest goalies in Penn State's long lacrosse history, Adams leaves as the school's all-time saves leader with 694 over the course of his four years as a starter. His .652 save percentage this year is the fifth best single season mark in Penn State history as well. Adams grabbed the Friends of Penn State Lacrosse Ground Ball Award (46 ground balls this year), the George Pittinger Award for Most Outstanding Senior and the Friends of Penn State Lacrosse Team Most Valuable Player Award.
Sophomore Chris Hogan (Wyckoff, N.J.) won the Friends of Penn State Lacrosse Top Goal Scorer Award after leading Penn State with 29 goals this year. Hogan, who missed last season with an injury, also had five assists for 34 points and was second on the team in scoring. Hogan was a first team All-ECAC Lacrosse League pick this year as well.
Sophomore Colton Vosburgh (Kennett Square, Pa.) won the Nick Thiel Award for Most Improved Player. Vosburgh had a break-out sophomore campaign, playing in all 14 games for the Nittany Lions. He had 10 goals and seven assists for 17 points, which was fifth on the team. His .286 shot percentage was third among those with 20 shots or more.
Sophomore Matt Bernier (Drexel Hill, Pa.) won the Andrew Lockhart Award for Top Defensive Player. Bernier was consistently tabbed to guard the opposition's top attackman and picked up 34 ground balls in the process. Starting in all 14 games, Bernier's ground ball total was third on the team.
Penn State ended the 2009 season riding a six-game win streak. The Nittany Lions went 9-6 with a 4-3 mark in their last run through ECAC Lacrosse League, good enough for third place. Penn State was ranked No. 16 nationally in the USILA final coaches poll as well.