Air Force Academy

May 11, 2010

CAPE COD, Mass. -

Three Air Force lacrosse players were selected to the All-ECAC teams, as voted on by the league’s coaches and announced on Tuesday afternoon. Sophomore Dayton Gilbreath was named a first-team selection, while juniors Vinny Sandtorv and Bryan Gilbreath were chosen as second-team honorees.

Dayton Gilbreath, a native of Bainbridge Island, Wash., earned All-ECAC honors on defense for the first time after garnering first-team all-conference accolades and being named Newcomer of the Year in the Great Western Lacrosse League in 2009. Dayton, who started every game for the Falcons at close defense this season, finished second on the team in caused turnovers with 16, while also being credited with 25 ground balls.

Meanwhile, Dayton’s older brother, Bryan, earned second-team ECAC honors as a specialist. A second-team All-GWLL selection as a long-stick midfielder in 2009, Bryan split his duties this season between the long-stick midfield position and close defense. He picked up a team-best and career-high 71 ground balls on the season, ranking tied for 16th nationally in ground balls per game. In addition, he was credited with a team-best 28 caused turnovers on the year, ranking ninth in the nation and first in the ECAC with 2.0 per contest.

Finally, Sandtorv, a midfielder from Centereach, N.Y., earned the first all-conference honors of his career. One of the Falcons’ team captains, Sandtorv started all 14 contests on the season at the midfield position. He was second on the team in goals scored with 19 and fourth in total points with 24, while also registering a career-best five assists. Sandtorv also tied for the team lead in man-up goals on the season with four.

Loyola led the way with six first-team All-ECAC picks and seven overall selections, and Denver had three first-team selections and five overall honorees. In addition, Fairfield placed five players on All-ECAC teams, including two first-team players. Air Force had three selections, followed by Bellarmine, Hobart and Ohio State with two selections apiece. Quinnipiac had one player earn All-ECAC recognition.

In addition to announcing the all-league first and second teams, the ECAC’s individual awards were released Tuesday as well. After leading his team to an undefeated ECAC record, an NCAA Tournament appearance and a top 10 national ranking, Denver’s Bill Tierney garnered Coach of the Year honors, while the Pioneers’ Dillon Roy was named Defensive Player of the Year. Loyola, which will also compete in this year’s NCAA Tournament, had two players who earned individual awards, with Cooper MacDonnell and Jake Hagelin being named Offensive Player and Goalkeeper of the Year, respectively. In addition, Ohio State freshman Logan Schuss was chosen as the league’s Rookie of the Year.

 

2010 ECAC Awards Offensive Player of the Year Cooper MacDonnell, Loyola   Defensive Player of the Year Dillon Roy, Denver   Goalkeeper of the Year Jake Hagelin, Loyola   Rookie of the Year Logan Schuss, Ohio State   Coach of the Year Bill Tierney, Denver

2010 All-ECAC First Team A            Alex Demopoulos, Denver                            So. A            Cooper MacDonnell, Loyola                         Sr. A            Mark Matthews, Denver                                 So. A            Collin Finnerty, Loyola                                   Sr. M           Brent Adams, Fairfield                                   So. M           Eric Lusby, Loyola                                           Jr. M           Derek Hopcroft, Bellarmine                          Sr. M           Logan Schuss, Ohio State                             Fr. D            Dillon Roy, Denver                                          Sr. D            Steve Layne, Loyola                                       Sr. D            Dayton Gilbreath, Air Force                         So. Sp.         John Schiavone, Loyola (F/O)                      Jr. G            Jake Hagelin, Loyola                                      Jr. G            Joe Marra, Fairfield                                         Sr.

2010 All-ECAC Second Team A            Chris Pedersen, Hobart                                 So. A            Sean Doyle, Bellarmine                                 Sr. A            Sam Snow, Fairfield                                       Fr. M           Charley Dickenson, Denver                          Sr. M           Cameron Flint, Denver                                   Fr. M           Taylor Ebsary, Loyola                                     Sr. M           Vinny Sandtorv, Air Force                            Jr. D            Brendan McTague, Fairfield                         Jr. D            Sean Bannon, Fairfield                                  Jr. D            Scott Foreman, Ohio State                            Sr. Sp.         Bryan Gilbreath, Air Force (LSM)               Jr. G            Kevin Benzing, Quinnipiac                            Sr. G            Max Silberlicht, Hobart                                   Sr.