Fans Recognize Syracuse Lacrosse

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Orange men’s lacrosse team is prominently featured in the December issue of Inside Lacrosse. Syracuse won several of the magazine’s inaugural “Laxie Awards” in categories ranging from “Division I Player of the Year” to “Breakthrough Performance of the Year.” The winners were selected in an online vote by fans.

The Orange took home a total of five awards. In addition, Syracuse’s run to the 2008 NCAA Championship was selected by the magazine as the No. 3 lacrosse story of 2008. Mike Leveille’s whirlwind week at the end of May landed the 14th spot on Inside Lacrosse’s list of the year’s top stories. In the span of seven days, Leveille won a national title, was named the NCAA Championship’s Most Valuable Player, won the Tewaaraton Trophy as national player of the year, and was selected third overall in the Major League Lacrosse (MLL) Draft.

Lacrosse fans chose Leveille as the “Division I Player of the Year” narrowly edging out Paul Rabil. They also selected the Orange as the 2008 “Team of the Year” and SU mentor John Desko as “Coach of the Year.” Steven Brooks earned the award for “Breakthrough Performance of the Year” for his performance in his final collegiate season as well as his brilliant rookie campaign with the MLL’s Chicago Machine.

The NCAA semifinal between Syracuse and Virginia was voted the 2008 “Game of the Year.” The Orange trailed by five in the third quarter before rallying for a 12-11 victory in double overtime. Leveille scored the game-tying goal in the fourth period to force overtime and eventually notched the winner in the second extra session when he freed himself from Virginia All-American Ken Clausen for his fifth goal of the day.

Fans also voted on a handful of other categories. The full list of winners can be found in the December issue of Inside Lacrosse or online at Insidelacrosse.com

Syracuse University Athletics

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