12 Conference Carolinas Men's Lacrosse Players Earn USILA/Nike All-America Honors; Limestone's Messenger Named Player of the Year
12 Conference Carolinas Men's Lacrosse Players Earn USILA/Nike All-America Honors; Limestone's Messenger Named Player of the Year
PERRY, N.Y. - 12 Conference Carolinas men's lacrosse players were named to the 2016 USILA/Nike Division II All-America teams, the association announced today. Headlining the group was Limestone College's Mike Messenger, who was named the Division II Lt. Raymond J. Enners Award Outstanding Player (Player of the Year).
Messenger was also named the Division II Lt. j.g. Donald MacLaughlin, Jr. Award Outstanding Midfielder, which is given to the nation's top midfielder. Joining Messenger in the major award category was teammate Kevin Reisman, who was named the Division II Specialty Player Award winner.
Of the 12 players honored, eight were from Limestone, while University of Mount Olive and Belmont Abbey College each posted two honorees each.
In addition to their major awards, Messenger and Reisman were both named first team All-America selections. Limestone teammates Kyle Rhatigan and Tyler Gaulton also were tabbed first team honorees.
Second team selections were Colton Watkinson of Limestone and Devin Cruz of Belmont Abbey College. The Limestone trio of Vinny Ricci, Patrick White and Patrick Sheridan earned third team honors. Honorable mention selections were Belmont Abbey's Adam Wiedemann and Mount Olive's Luke Morris and Ross Bowman.
Link to Full USILA/Nike All-America Release
Link to Full USILA/Nike Major Awards Release
2016 USILA/Nike Division II All-America Teams
First Team
Attack - Kyle Rhatigan, Limestone
Midfield - Mike Messenger, Limestone
Specialist - Kevin Reisman, Limestone
Defense - Tyler Gaulton, Limestone
Second Team
Midfield - Colton Watkinson, Limestone
LSM - Devin Cruz, Belmont Abbey
Third Team
Attack - Vinny Ricci, Limestone
Defense - Patrick White, Limestone
Goalie - Patrick Sheridan, Limestone
Honorable Mention
Attack - Adam Wiedemann, Belmont Abbey
Defense - Luke Morris, Mount Olive
Goalie - Ross Bowman, Mount Olive
Lt. Raymond J. Enners Award Outstanding Player - Mike Messenger (Limestone)
Lt. j.g. Donald MacLaughlin, Jr. Award Outstanding Midfielder - Mike Messenger (Limestone)
Specialty Player Award - Kevin Reisman (Limestone)