Six Terps Claim All-Big Ten Honors
Courtesy: Maryland Athletics
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Senior Casey Ikeda earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors Tuesday, leading a throng of individual accolades for the Maryland men’s lacrosse team as voted upon by Big Ten coaches.
The Terps placed four players on the All-Big Ten First Team – more than any team - including Kyle Bernlohr, Ikeda, Joe LoCascio and Matt Rambo. Additionally, Jay Carlson and Charlie Raffa earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors. Carlson garnered Maryland’s Sportsmanship Award, as well.
Ikeda’s Defensive Player of the Year honor is the second consecutive conference defensive honor for the Terps, as Niko Amato earned the award last season. Jesse Bernhardt also captured the honor in 2012.
Goalkeepers are considered in the “Specialist” category by the Big Ten Conference.
The Terps have garnered 21 individual all-conference honors in five years under head coach John Tillman, including 11 over the past two seasons.
Ikeda has proven to be one of the best defenders in college lacrosse this season, earning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors four times and anchoring the best scoring defense in the nation. Ikeda has grabbed 19 ground balls and caused 12 turnovers, in addition to dishing three assists.
Bernlohr has led the nation in goals against average for the entirety of the season, allowing just 6.3 goals per game. The junior also ranks second in the nation in save percentage (.608). Bernlohr allowed just 24 goals during a remarkable seven-game span (3.4 GAA) from Feb. 28 – April 4.
LoCascio is tied for second on the Terps with 32 points, including 26 goals and six assists. The senior has saved his best performances for the biggest stage, scoring a career-high five goals against North Carolina and matching his career-high with five points against Johns Hopkins.
Carlson has been the Terps’ most efficient scorer, scoring 26 goals on just 57 shots. The Cockeysville, Md., native has totaled eight points over his last two games, including scoring the overtime game-winner at Ohio State on April 18.
A 2014 all-american, Raffa leads Maryland with 82 faceoffs wins at a 62 percent clip. The senior currently ranks tied for third in Maryland history in ground balls (263) and fourth in faceoffs won (455).
Maryland enters postseason play this weekend as it hosts the inaugural Big Ten Men’s Lacrosse Tournament. The Terps are scheduled to face Ohio State Thursday at 8 pm, following a semifinal matchup between Johns Hopkins and Penn State at 5:30 pm. The championship final is slated for Saturday at 8 pm.
All games will be televised live on Big Ten Network.
