May 5, 2006

BUFFALO, NY - Saint Joseph's University head coach Pat Cullinan has been selected as the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Lacrosse League Anaconda Sports Coach of the Year. Cullinan's selection highlights a record five Hawks named to the MAAC All-Conference teams in voting conducted by the conference's coaches.

Cullinan led the Hawks to a 6-9 overall record, while finishing 5-3 in the MAAC, a three-game improvement over last season. It is the third time in six seasons as a head coach that Cullinan has been recognized by his peers. He was previously selected as the New York Collegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2002 and 2003 while at West Chester.

In addition to Cullinan, freshman Erik Hotaling led five Hawks named to the MAAC All-Conference teams by garnering First Team honors. A native of Syracuse, N.Y., Hotaling started all 15 games in goal establishing an SJU single season record with an 8.06 goals against average. His 148 saves and .552 save percentage also rank among the top single season totals in program history.

Four Hawks were tabbed to the All-MAAC Second Team, including seniors Keegan Wilkinson and Andrew Four and juniors Mike O'Neill and Alex McColough.

Also an All-MAAC Second Team selection as a sophomore in 2004, Wilkinson led the team in scoring for the third straight season, finishing with 16 goals 22 assists and 38 points. He closes out his career second on SJU's all-time list with 83 assists and seventh in career points with 137.

An attackman, O'Neill finished second on the team in goals (19), assists (12) and points (31), despite missing the team's final three games with an injury. Four finished with 18 goals, 10 assists and 28 points and ranked second on the team with 28 groundballs in the midfield. McColough matched Wilkinson with 16 goals and added nine assists for 25 points.

Canisius junior attacker Kevin Ross was named Offensive Player of the Year, while Manhattan's Corey Dolik, Mount St. Mary's Pat Farrell and Wagner Chris Sochacki were selected Co-Defensive Players of the Year by the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Siena's Matt Girsh was tabbed as Rookie of the Year.

Joining Hotaling, Ross, Dolik and Farrell on the All-MAAC First Team at attack are Mount St. Mary's Matt Warner and Siena's Matt Donovan. Providence's Michael Farley, Marist's Tim Iuculano and Mount St. Mary's Eric Seifert all join the team at midfield. Providence's James Courter joins the team at defense.

The remainder of the Second Team featured Marists Billy Duer, Siena's Girsh matt Walsh and Justin Tesone; Mount St. Mary's Sean O'Beirne and Joe Zolezzi; Manhattan's Pat Farrelly; and Providence's Liam Smith and Peter Littell.

In addition to the All-Conference awards, SJU sophomore Robert Keogh was selected to the MAAC Lacrosse All-Academic Team.