Tar Heel National Champions Honored At Team Banquet
October 1, 2016 | Women's Soccer
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The words national champions were invoked numerous times Friday night at the Loudermilk Center for Excellence Blue Zone as the 2016 University of North Carolina men's lacrosse team was feted as its annual team banquet. It was truly a night to honor Carolina's first national championship team in the sport since 1991 as head coach Joe Breschi and his staff proudly presented the program which included the awarding of the 2016 team awards.
The night was highlighted by the presentation of multiple videos honoring the 2016 team as current student-athletes, alumni, staff, parents and supporters gathered to honor last year's championship squad which joined the 1981, 1982, 1986 and 1991 teams as NCAA titlists.
Coach Breschi honored previously announced winners of academic and athletic awards from the university, ACC , NCAA and U.S. Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association.
That led to the announcement of the 2016 individual team awards which for the first time were voted on by the members of the 2016 NCAA championship squad.
Here is a summary of those awards.
Link to 2016 Final Stat Sheet With Complete Statistics of Team Award Winners
Turnbull Trophy (Team's Most Valuable Player) – shared by senior attackman Steve Pontrello of Marlton, N.J. and junior midfielder Stephen Kelly of Lutherville, Md.
Most Valuable Offensive Player – senior attackman Steve Pontrello of Marlton, N.J.
Most Valuable Defensive Player – shared by junior defenseman Austin Pifani of Roslyn, Pa. and senior short-stick defensive midfelder Jake Matthai of Baltimore, Md.
Needham Unsung Hero Award – senior long-stick defensive midfielder Evan Connell of Lutherville, Md.
Jay Gallagher Memorial Award (Outstanding Freshman) – defenseman Jack Rowlett of Burke, Va.
The Holmes Harden, Sr. Memorial Award (most ground balls) – junior midfielder Stephen Kelly of Lutherville, Md.
Danny Fox Memorial Award (Service to Carolina Lacrosse) –Chris Feifs, seven-year assistant coach and now head coach at University of Vermont
Class of 1986 Dan Andrews Award (Sportsmanship & Community Service) – shared by senior defenseman Zach Powers of Columbus, Ohio and redshirt junior defenseman Mark Rizzo of Hewlett, N.Y.
Kevin Reichardt Memorial Award (Most Improved Player) – shared by sophomore midfielder Brian Cannon of Northport, N.Y. and sophomore attackman Chris Cloutier of Kitchener, Ontario
Ralph T. “Rip” Davy, III Memorial Award (Senior Leadership) – shared by senior midfielder Patrick Kelly of Timonium, Md., and senior midfielder Jake Matthai of Baltimore, Md.
Dick Baddour Academic Success Award (Team High GPA) – senior Patrick Kelly of Timonium, Md.