April 18, 2002

DURHAM, N.C. - Four Maryland men's lacrosse players were named to the 2002 All-ACC team at Thursday night's banquet held at the Durham Hilton. Junior Michael Howley (Wantagh, N.Y.) was named to the team for the second straight year. He was joined by sophomore Dan LaMonica (Parkton, Md.), Mike Mollot (Holbrook, N.Y.) and Chris Passavia (Stony Brook, N.Y.) as members of the All-ACC team. The four honorees marks the most for the Terps since 1998, when they had five members of the team.

A 2001 second team All-American Howley has been a cornerstone of the Terps' defense which has allowed just 6.60 goals per game -- ranking second in the nation and first in the ACC. Howley is a 2002 candidate for the Tewaararton Trophy as the sport's top player. He has 33 groundballs to go with a goal and assist this season.

LaMonica has ranked among the national leaders in assists all season and points for the first five weeks. He is currently second in the Terps in scoring with 33 points. He leads the club in assists with 21 -- seventh best in the nation and second in the ACC. He has recorded points in 24 of his 25 career games.

Mollot leads Maryland in scoring with 34 points on 18 goals and 16 assists. He has five multi-goal games this season including a career high five goals and seven points vs. Towson on March 9. He was named National and ACC Player of the Week after that game. Mollot, who ranks 23rd all-time in career scoring at Maryland, was an honorable mention All-American last season and an ACC All-Tournament pick.

Passavia has teammed with Howley to form the most dynamic duo on close defense in the nation. He has been lauded for his outstanding checking and been honored with the Ginsu Award by Inside Lacrosse. Passavia is an outstanding takeaway defenseman and has 27 groundballs this season. He scored his first career goal at Bucknell on March 12.

Virginia seniors Conor Gill and Mark Koontz have been earned all-conference honors for the third consecutive year. They were joined by teammates John Christmas, Tillman Johnson and Chris Rotelli. Duke was represented on the unit by Kevin Cassese and Dan Hauber.

The 14th annual ACC Men's Lacrosse Championship will be held April 19 and 21 at Duke University. Top-seeded Virginia will face fourth-seeded North Carolina in the first semifinal at 6 p.m. while third-seeded Maryland and second-seeded Duke battle in the second semifinal at 8:30 p.m. The championship game will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday.

2002 Men's Lacrosse All-ACC Team
Kevin Cassese, M, Duke
Dan Hauber, D, Duke
Mike Mollot, M, Maryland
Michael Howley, D, Maryland
Chris Passavia, D, Maryland
Dan LaMonica, A, Maryland
Conor Gill, A, Virginia
Chris Rotelli, M, Virginia
Mark Koontz, D, Virginia
John Christmas, A, Virginia
Tillman Johnson, G, Virginia