ROCHESTER, NY – The Empire 8 announced its Men’s Lacrosse award winners with senior David Gal of Ithaca College repeating as Goalkeeper of the Year, and senior long-stick midfielder MJ Kiekebelt of conference champion Rochester Institute of Technology being named Player of the Year.
Gal posted a 6.86 goals against average and a 60.5 save percentage in Empire 8 play for the Bombers. Overall, he posted a 7.43 goals against average and helped lead the Bombers to a spot in the conference tournament.
Kiekebelt, who was named to the all-conference first team for the third consecutive year, finished with 56 ground balls in Empire 8 regular season play. He scored two goals and assisted on three others in two conference tournament games, totaling 12 ground balls.
Freshman attack Christian Saley of Stevens Institute of Technology was chosen as the Empire 8 Rookie of the Year. He scored 18 goals in conference play and added seven ground balls.
Jake Coon repeated as Empire 8 Coach of the Year for leading RIT to its second consecutive conference title, an undefeated season entering NCAA play, and a school-record 17 wins through the conference tournament.
2011 Empire 8 Men’s Lacrosse Awards
Player of the Year: MJ Kiekebelt, Rochester Institute of Technology
Goalkeeper of the Year: David Gal, Ithaca College
Rookie of the Year: Christian Saley, Stevens Institute of Technology
Coach of the Year: Jake Coon, Rochester Institute of Technology