YORK, Pa. -
Salisbury University's Jim and Kylor
Berkman became the first father-son combo to be named
Capital Athletic Conference Coach and Player of the Year for any
sport in conference history since 1991. The Berkmans were named the
2008 CAC Men's Lacrosse Coach and Player of the Year as announced
by the conference office. Salisbury led the way with seven players
named to the two teams (four first-team and three second-team
selections).
This is the third straight year, seventh overall, that Coach
Berkman has been recognized by his peers with the conference coach
of the year award. Coach Berkman wrapped up the 2008 regular-season
with an undefeated record for the fifth straight year as the
top-ranked Sea Gulls won its 14th consecutive CAC championship.
Coach Berkman recently tied the NCAA record for all-time career
wins in men's lacrosse history with win No. 326. The Sea Gulls have
earned their 20th straight NCAA tournament appearance under Coach
Berkman as Salisbury begins its quest to defend its national
championship it captured last season.
Kylor Berkman (Salisbury, Md./Parkside) returns
to the CAC first team at midfield for the second straight year
as he earned his first conference player of the year award.
Salisbury continues its streak of 14 consecutive seasons where a
Sea Gull has been named the CAC Player of the Year. SU joined the
conference in 1995 and hasn't lost a CAC game (99-0).
The junior midfielder was a first-team All-American last season
en route to being named the Division III National Midfielder of the
Year. This season he was selected by Face-Off Yearbook as
its Division III preseason player and midfielder of the year. The
SU co-captain leads the team with 39 assists and is second on the
team in points with 64.
Senior attackman Matt Hickman (Darnestown,
Md./Georgetown Prep) returns to the All-CAC first team and is
joined by first time selections senior defenseman Ben
Sandlin (Magnolia, Del./Caesar Rodney) and sophomore
long-stick midfielder Connor Burgasser (Mendon,
N.Y./Honeoye Falls).
Hickman leads the team in goals scored with 51 and points (79)
and is second on the team in assists with 28. Last season, Hickman
was selected to the All-American second team as he was selected as
the Most Outstanding Player of the national championship game.
Face-off Yearbook selected Hickman as its 2008 Division
III preseason attackman of the year.
Sandlin is one of the co-captains of this year's team and the
senior anchor of the Sea Gull defense that is ranked sixth in the
country in scoring defense (6.83 goals per game). He is tied with
Burgasser for the team lead in caused turnovers with 38. Burgasser
is third on the team with 67 ground balls.
The Sea Gulls placed one attackman, midfielder and defenseman on
the 2008 All-CAC second team. Senior attackman Greg
Titus (Setauket, N.Y./Stony Brook) cracked the All-CAC
list this season after he was left off of the list in 2007. The
All-American honorable mention from a year ago is second on the
team with 46 goals and third with 51 points. Sophomore Mike
Von Kamecke (Winter Park, Fla./Bishop Moore) was chosen as
a second-team midfielder as he is fourth on the team in points
(43). Junior defenseman Kevin Maynard (Salisbury,
Md./Parkside) earned a spot on the All-CAC second team. He started
all 18 games and has 28 ground balls and 18 caused turnovers to his
credit.
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