#BestOfLax: Vote for LM's Biggest Team Breakthrough of 2012
by Clare Lochary | LaxMagazine.com
Lacrosse Magazine's "Best of Lacrosse 2012" series recognizes the players, coaches, teams and moments that shined above all others in our sport this year. We want to know what you think. Fans can vote for their favorites in 10 categories. The results of each poll will be published alongside staff selections in the December issue of Lacrosse Magazine. Voting ends Monday, Oct. 29 at 3 p.m. Eastern.
See any snubs? Make your case by commenting at the bottom of this page or at #BestOfLax on Twitter.
Don't get the mag? Join US Lacrosse and its 400,000-plus members to start your subscription today.
|
#BestOfLax VOTING HAS CLOSED. THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING AND CHECK OUT ALL OF THE RESULTS HERE. |
Nominees for Best Team Breakthrough
Colgate men
The Raiders had their best season in program history, going 14-4
and rising as high as No. 8 in the national rankings. Colgate also defeated No. 1 UMass in the first
round of the national tournament, giving the Raiders
their first NCAA tournament win ever. Junior Peter Baum became the
first Raider to win the Tewaaraton Award.
Florida women
The Gators reached their first final
four, and became the first team to beat Northwestern
twice in one season during the Amonte Hiller era. Florida handed
the Wildcats their only two losses of the year, including a 14-7
drubbing in the ALC title game. It was the first ever conference
championship for the Gators in just their third year of varsity
play.
Iroquois Nationals (Under-19)
The Iroquois under-19 men's team defeated the U.S., 15-13, in the
preliminary round of the 2012 FIL U19 World Championship.
It was the first-ever victory for an Iroquois team
over an American team in field competition. Warren
Hill had 13 saves in the win and Hank Delisle led the Iroquois with
three goals and one assist. The team lost the U.S. in the medal
round and finished the tournament with the bronze.
Loyola men
Unranked by many (but not all) at the beginning of the
season, the Greyhounds steadily rose to prominence, earned a No.
1-ranking and claimed their first NCAA championship. Mike Sawyer
was the first men's player from Loyola to be named a Tewaaraton
finalist, too.
Oregon women
The Ducks won a program-best 14 games and defeated MPSF juggernaut
Stanford twice to earn their first conference crown.
Oregon didn't quite make the NCAA tournament, but came very close,
losing to Navy in OT in the play-in game.
