April 29, 2008
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ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Vito DeMola (Holtsville, N.Y./Sachem East HS) highlighted Hartwick College's Empire 8 Conference men's lacrosse selections, as the league office announced its end of season awards, Tuesday.
DeMola was one of three Hawk players to garner second team all-E8 accolades. The freshman also became Hartwick's first league rookie of the year in lacrosse as well. In 2008, DeMola leads the Empire 8 in goals per game (3.08 gpg), man up goals per game (0.54) and in shots per game (10.69 spg); ranked second in points per game (4.0 ppg), and third in goals (40). Among fellow freshmen in the NCAA Division III level, DeMola is tied for second in goals; ranks fourth in points (53), and is tied for 23rd in assists (12). He scored a season-high five goals on three occasions - Morrisville State (3/6), Stevens Tech (3/26), and versus Utica (4/9). DeMola, who was only held without a goal once, had four six-point games as a season high as well.
Joining DeMola on the Empire 8 second team were
Ryan Welch (Greenwich, Conn./Greenwich HS) and
Brandon Wilk (Hillsborough, N.J./Hillsborough HS).
Welch concluded his final season with a goal and an assist as a defenseman. The senior netted his lone goal of the year in the season-opener versus Montclair State (3/2) and then dished off his only helper at Utica (4/9). Welch, who finished second on the team in ground balls (43), garnered some type of all-league recognition three consecutive years, including being named a first-team honoree in 2007.
Wilk finished the 2008 campaign with 14 goals and 16 points, ranking in a tie for second and fourth overall respectively on the team. The sophomore posted three multi-goal games, including a season-high three against the eventual Empire 8 Conference champions, Ithaca (4/12). Wilk scored a pair of goals in the season opener versus Montclair State (3/2) and at Utica (4/9).
Junior goalie
John Meade (Fire Island, N.Y./Islip HS) was selected as Hartwick's Empire 8 Conference Sportsman of the Year for men's lacrosse.
