Five Seahawks garner all-conference honors

NEWPORT, R.I. - Senior co-captains Brendan Rooney (West Newton, Mass.) and Evan Gates (Ridge, N.J.), along with junior Chris Walker (Marshfield, Mass.), highlight the list of Salve Regina University men's lacrosse student-athletes selected to The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) All-Conference team.

Rooney, Gates and Walker were all named to the Second Team while senior Maurie Fitzgerald (Lexington, Mass.) and freshman Chad Hollenshade (Lutherville, Md.) were Honorable Mention selections. Hollenshade was also named TCCC Rookie of the Year.

The reigning conference Offensive Player of the Year, Walker tallied 32 points (25-7-32) in nine conference games at attack and recently became Salve Regina's all-time leader in both goals (135) and points (51). Additionally, his 51 assists rank No. 2 all-time at SRU. Against TCCC foes, Walker compiled 11 ground balls, two man-up goals, and one game-winning goal. His 25 goals was tied for the fourth-highest total in the conference.

Rooney, meanwhile, chalked up 31 points on 20 goals and 11 assists in nine TCCC contests - including a conference-best three man-down goals. The midfielder enters this weekend's TCCC Quarterfinal game at Gordon No. 1 all-time in assists (64) and No. 3 in points (157) at Salve Regina. Rooney collected 29 ground balls, three man-up goals, and two game-winners. He ranked eighth in TCCC in goals/game (2.22) and ninth in assists/game (1.22).

Gates led the Seahawks with 12 assists in conference play and finished fourth with 29 points (17-12-29). He also recorded 11 ground balls, two man-up goals, and two game-winning tallies from the midfield position. Gates was t-10th in TCCC in assists/game (1.20).

Hollenshade led all Seahawks with 34 points (25-9-34) in 10 conference games. A two-sport athlete who plays ice hockey at SRU, Hollenshade collected 11 ground balls, two man-up goals, and one game-winner up front. He sits in a tie with Walker for fourth in TCCC with 25 goals and ranks eighth in points/game (3.40).

Fitzgerald was a steadying force on a young defense for head coach Pat Cooney. A three-year starter for the Seahawks, Fitzgerald led all Salve Regina defenders with 26 ground balls and also picked up one assist.

John Gabriel (New England College) and Daniel Utz (Gordon) were named co-Offensive Players of the Year. Western New England's Brewster Knowlton was named Defensive Player of the Year while Golden Bears head coach John Klepacki was tabbed Coach of the Year. Chris Gugino of Endicott was the Senior Scholar Athlete of the Year, and Anna Maria received the Team Sportsmanship Award.