5/9/2003 - Men's Lacrosse
Dingman, Stebbings Garner All-ECAC Lacrosse League Honors
CENTREVILLE, Mass. ? Navy freshman Ian Dingman (Deferiet, N.Y.) and senior Chris Stebbings (New Freedom, Pa.) have been named Second-Team All-ECAC according to a list of postseason awards released by the ECAC Lacrosse League Friday morning. Dingman and Stebbings join 22 other players on the first and second teams, representing Georgetown, UMBC, Massachusetts, Navy, Penn State and Rutgers.
Dingman led the Mids with 40 points on a team-high 23 goals and 17 assists, completing his first year ranked third on Navy?s all-time freshman scoring list. The 6-3, 250 rookie received the Coach William H. ?Dinty? Moore Award last weekend given to Navy?s most outstanding offensive player, a fitting reward after becoming the first freshman in Navy history to lead the team in scoring. He scored goals in 11 of the 13 games and recorded at least one goal or assist in every contest except one. His most impressive afternoon of the spring came March 22 at Stony Brook in which he produced a career-high tying four goals and added three assists for a season-best seven points. Dingman produced four or more points in seven contests, including the season finale in which he recorded two goals and added a pair of assists in his first Star Game appearance and win over Army.
?Ian had a great year for us and it speaks volumes that he is the first freshman to lead a Navy squad in scoring,? said Navy head coach Richie Meade. ?His size gave us a constant physical presence and he was able to outmuscle virtually every defender he played against. We are looking for him to continue to develop his skills and lead us over the next few years.?
A four-year starter on defense, Stebbings took on the role of mentor for the Mids? defensive unit this spring. He taught second-year players and first-year starters Mitch Hendler (Reisterstown, Md.) and Mike Felber (Penfield, N.Y.) how Navy defense should be played. He helped develop Navy?s youth into a solid, veteran group by year?s end, holding the likes of Georgetown to just four goals and Penn State to five. One of the hardest-hitting, most intense players on the field, Stebbings faced the challenge of defending the opponent?s top offensive player throughout the year.
?I feel strongly that Chris should get some All-America consideration,? said Meade. ?There have been nine Navy players that have won the Schmeisser Memorial Cup and I have no doubt Chris is in the same category as those men. He brought experience and he taught his teammates the intensity with which to play. I don?t think there is a defensive player in the country that had as good a year as he did.?
The major ECAC award winners included Offensive Player of the Year Chris Fiore (UMass), Defensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year Greg Havalchak (Rutgers) and Coach of the Year Jim Stagnitta (Rutgers).
2003 First-Team All-ECAC
A Jeff Zywicki, UMass
A Mike Hammer, Georgetown
A Delby Powless, Rutgers
M Chris Fiore, UMass
M Jeff Duca, Rutgers
M Kevin Leveille, UMass
D Matt Zappia, Penn State
D Matt Garcia, UMass
D Patt Collins, Georgetown
G Greg Havalchak, Rutgers
LS Kyle Sweeney, Georgetown
2003 Second-Team All-ECAC
A Ian Dingman, Navy
A Jordan Vettoretti, Georgetown
A Nate Whiatker, Penn State
A Luke Ogelsby, Penn State
M Trevor Walker, Georgetown
M Walid Hajj, Georgetown
M Marshall Feldman, Penn State
D Jack Reid, UMass
D Brant Gresham, Georgetown
D Chris Stebbings, Navy
G Chris Garrity, Penn State
LS Rob Bateman, Penn State
G-o N-a-v-y
