Player of the Year: Drew Simoneau, Nazareth College
Senior face-off specialist Drew Simoneau has been named the Player of the Year for the third straight season. He has started all 19 games he appeared in, posting a team-high 195 groundballs and a face-off percentage of .703 (275-391). His 10.26 groundballs per game leads the conference and ranks third in Division III. He ranks fourth in Division III in face-off percentage. Simoneau is the first player in E8 history to earn the yearly award three-times.
Goalie of the Year: Scott Sidnam, Ithaca College
Scott Sidnam started 17 of the 18 games he played in for the Bombers in 2015 and amassed a 13-4 overall record. He had six games in which he produced double-digit save totals, including a season-high of 18 against conference-foe Stevens Institute of Technology. Overall he played 960 minutes in net and recorded 149 saves. He allowed 7.43 goals against average and registered a .556 save percentage. Sidnam previously earned the Goalie of the Year award in 2013.
Rookie of the Year: Jake Lynch, Alfred University
Alfred attack Jake Lynch was named the Rookie of the Year after a seamless transition into the college game. Lynch appeared in all 15 games for the Saxon’s, making 10 starts. He ranked second on the team in goals (46) and third in assists (17) and points (63). He also totaled 19 groundballs and five caused turnovers. Lynch had seven games with four or more goals, including a season high six against Houghton. Lynch is the second Saxon to earn the E8 Rookie award, joining previous winner Andy German who was named co-Rookie in 2004.
Coach of the Year: Rob Randall, Nazareth College
Nazareth head coach Rob Randall has been named Coach of the Year for the sixth time in his career; gaining his previous awards in 2001, 2003, 2007, 2009 and 2013. In his 15
th season at the helm, Randall has guided his team to a current 15-4 overall record and No. 15 national ranking. The Golden Flyers went undefeated, 8-0, in conference play and won the Empire 8 Championship for the ninth time. Nazareth earned the automatic NCAA bid and will be making its 21
st national appearance and ninth under Randall.
Sportsman of the Year
One member of each team was named that institution's representative on the 2015 Sportsman of the Year Team. Empire 8 emphasizes that "Competing with Honor and Integrity" is an essential component of a student-athlete's experience in conjunction with an institution's educational mission. These honorees have distinguished themselves and consistently exhibit the critical traits as outstanding sportsmen.
2015 Men's Lacrosee All-Conference Teams