KUDLEK NAMED ECC ROOKIE OF THE YEAR; FOUR OTHERS PLACED ON ALL-ECC ROSTER

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (May. 7, 2009) - On Wednesday, freshman attackman Ryan Kudlek (Oceanside, N.Y.) was dubbed the East Coast Conference Rookie of the Year as the league gave out its year-end awards for the 2009 season. Four other members of the Molloy College men's lacrosse team grabbed All-ECC distinction as well. Along with Kudlek, senior midfielder Keith Galante (Plainedge, N.Y.) anchored the way after receiving first-team recognition.

In 13 games, Kudlek totaled 32 points, which ranked fourth-best on the team, off of 25 tallies and seven assists. A team-best eight of those goals came with a man up. In the nation, he was slotted 42nd in goals per game and 62nd in points per match-up with averages of 1.92 and 2.46, respectively. Amongst the East Coast Conference, Kudlek was tied for fourth in man-up goals per game (0.62) and shots per game (6.08). Additionally, he collected 21 ground balls and caused three turnovers in his rookie campaign.

Galante was tabbed as an All-ECC first-team selection. This year, he led the Lions in scoring with 22 goals and 43 assists for 65 points. Galante also posted seven markers with the extra man, while winning 21 ground balls. Furthermore, he became the all-time leader at Molloy in points (190), assists (105) and shots on goal (171). In NCAA Division II, Galante positioned himself No. 2 in assists per game (3.31), No. 6 in points per game (5.0) and No. 62 in points per game (2.46).

The other three were named to the second-team. Senior defenseman Mike Dilena (Massapequa, N.Y.) posted 26 ground balls and 13 caused turnovers in 2009. He also ranks first in Lions' history in caused turnovers at an overall amount of 31. Senior midfielder Peter Bonelli (Commack, N.Y.) claimed 55.2 percent (144-117) of his faceoff attempts, and registered 105 ground balls in the process. As a result, Bonelli was slotted in third in the country in ground balls per game (8.75) and 13th in faceoff win percentage.

Junior midfielder Albert Maione (West Islip, N.Y.) caps the All-ECC honorees for Molloy. This season, he had 36 points, which was third-best on the squad, on 25 goals (two game-winners) and 11 assists. Seven of those tallies also came with the extra-man opportunity. Moreover, he was slotted 31st amongst the country in goals per game (2.08), 36th in points per game (3.0) and 63rd in assists per game (0.92).

The seventh-ranked Lions closed out the season with an overall record of 10-3 and an East Coast Conference ledger of 3-3. They also held a ranking as high as No. 4 in the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association Division II poll. Continue to check back at http://athletics.molloy.edu for more information.