BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Following its second straight Patriot League Championship, the Lehigh men's lacrosse team held its annual awards banquet on Sunday at the Saucon Valley Country Club. The afternoon featured a look back at the 2013 season, the presentation of championship rings, handing out of team awards and more. The entire senior class of 2013 was honored as well.
Lehigh posted a 12-5 overall record last season while going undefeated in Patriot League play. The Mountain Hawks hosted the Patriot League Tournament for the first time in school history, beating Colgate and Bucknell to win their second straight tournament championship and earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament where they took on North Carolina.
After a welcome, lunch and highlight video, the championship rings were presented. The side of the ring reads "back-to-back" and as captain Brian Hess explained, the "15-1" signifies the team's record against Patriot League foes over the last two seasons. The ring reads "family" to represent Lehigh's close-knit team.
Following the ring ceremony, the seniors were honored and department awards were announced. David DiMaria was named Player of the Year after an outstanding senior season, and career. DiMaria led the team with career highs in goals (33), assists (40) and points (73). He led the Patriot League in scoring and finished his career among the all-time greats with 205 points behind 88 goals and 117 assists. DiMaria was one of five Mountain Hawks to be drafted (or signed) in Major League Lacrosse.
The 2013 Scholar-Athlete Award went to Baxter Lanius, who earned the honor for a second straight season. Lanius graduated with a degree in Finance, finishing with over a 3.6 cumulative GPA. He garnered multiple academic awards, including earning a spot on the Dean's List in multiple semesters. He was one of three Mountain Hawks named to the Academic All-Patriot League Team last spring as Lehigh led the league in honorees.
Hess received the Coach's Award, which recognizes outstanding leadership and work ethic, both on and off the field. Hess was named captain for the 2013 season and led the team through ups and downs. After a tough start to the season, the Mountain Hawks came together when it mattered most, thanks in large part to Hess' leadership. Standing at 5-4 after nine games, Lehigh responded by winning seven straight games capped off by a dominant 11-5 Patriot League Championship Game victory over Bucknell. Hess finished with 13 goals and eight assists for the season to earn Second Team All-Patriot League honors. He also garnered USILA Scholar All-America recognition for his outstanding work in the classroom.
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