St. John's University Athletics
DeNapoli Named To All-ECAC First Team
5/6/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
May 6, 2009
QUEENS, N.Y. - St. John's senior captain Dom DeNapoli earned a spot among the ECAC's elite as conference officials announced the all-league teams on Tuesday.
In a vote by the league's coaches, the long stick midfielder and face-off specialist from Hewlett, N.Y., was named to the 2009 All-ECAC First Team as the league's leading specialist.
On Monday, DeNapoli earned the Francis A. McCall Memorial Award as the team's most valuable player. DeNapoli acted as the team's leader both on and off the field. He has been the NCAA's Division I statistical leader in ground balls per game (8.5) for ten-straight weeks. DeNapoli has been ranked in the NCAA Top 100 in that statistical category for all four seasons.
DeNapoli is currently ranked No. 5 among top scoring long poles in Division I with nine points (7 goals, 2 assists). With 18 caused turnovers, DeNapoli is tied for No. 41 in the NCAA in the statistic.
The senior had his best game of the season in St. John's season-opener at Holy Cross (Feb. 14). DeNapoli won 15-of-17 face-offs and collected a season-high 16 ground balls. He also scored the sixth goal of the game, which counted as the eventual game-winner in the 10-5 victory over the Crusaders.
In the 2009 season-finale against then-No. 3 Duke, DeNapoli tallied his first career-hat trick to post a career-high of points and goals in a game. For the season, the senior collected 119 ground balls, a single-season best and 18 caused turnovers. He tallied a .532 win percentage as the Red Storm's leading face-off specialist.
Career-wise, DeNapoli tallied 258 ground balls, 40 caused turnovers 10 goals, five assists and a face-off percentage of .480.
DeNapoli is the first member of the Red Storm to receive a first team honor. In the past two seasons, Tim LaMare (2008) and Tom Michaelsen (2007) each earned spots on the All-ECAC Second Team.
Twenty-three players from around the league were named to the all-league lists. For the complete list and release visit the official home of the ECAC Lacrosse League, www.ecaclacrosse.com.
