ROCHESTER, NY - Three Hartwick College men's lacrosse players were recognized on Tuesday as the Empire 8 announced its 2009 All-Conference teams. Senior goalkeeper John Meade (Ocean Beach, NY) and junior defender Kevin Miller (Wantagh, NY) were second team selections. Sophomore Dave Aitchison (Farmingdale, NY) garnered honorable mention. Meade was also selected to the E8 Sportsman of the Year Team for competing with honor and integrity throughout the 2009 campaign.
Meade had an impressive final season for the Hawks finishing second among starting goalies in the conference in goals against average (8.33) and save percentage (.595). He also ended the year fourth in the entire Empire 8 in ground balls per game grabbing 5.43 per outing. Meade recorded 10 saves or more in 11 of the Hawks' 14 games. He stopped a season-best 17 shots and nabbed eight ground balls to help Hartwick take down previously unbeaten RIT, 7-6, on Mar. 21 en route to becoming Empire 8 Goalkeeper of the Week for the third time in his career. Meade turned in another 17-save effort in the Hawks' 8-7 overtime setback to then-No. 4 ranked Ithaca on Apr. 18. He ended his career at 'Wick with 455 career saves and 163 ground balls and was a two-time E8 Sportsman of the Year Team honoree.
Miller was a key component this season for a 'Wick defensive unit that surrendered just 8.32 goals per game which is the program's best average in the 11-year Bill Bjorness era. An Inside Lacrosse Preseason All-Empire 8 selection, Miller started in 'Wick's first 13 games before missing the final match of the season with an injury. He ended the 2009 campaign leading the Hawks in caused turnovers with 17 and his 39 ground balls ranked third on the team for the second consecutive season. Miller had a career day to help the Hawks defeat RIT during the year as he tied for game-highs in both ground balls (8) and caused turnovers (4) in the win. Both totals were also career-highs for the junior. In three seasons with HC, Miller has started 40 of 41 games, accumulated 91 ground balls, and 35 caused turnovers.
Aitchison, in his second season with the Hawks, was the team's top set-up man finishing with 15 assists. He also added eight goals to rank fourth on the squad in points with 24 and grabbed 28 ground balls. He was 'Wick's highest point producer in a 6-5 win over Potsdam on Mar. 14 with two goals and an assist, and he added two goals and tied a career-high with five ground balls in a 9-6 victory over Elmira in Apr. 11. He scored in five straight conference games over the course of the season and dished out a career-high three assists versus Stevens. In his two seasons with Hartwick, Aitchison has 10 goals, 20 assists, 39 ground balls, and 12 caused turnovers.
The Hartwick College men's lacrosse team finished 6-8 on the season and 3-5 in the Empire 8 Conference. The Hawks closed out the 2009 campaign winners of two straight matches, including a 13-9 win at Oneonta State and an 8-4 home-finale victory over Alfred.
