April 27, 2004

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Maryland head coach Dave Cottle was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Men's Lacrosse Coach of the Year as selected by a vote of the league's four head coaches. Maryland's Joe Walters garnered ACC Player of the Year accolades, while Duke's Matt Danowski was honored as the ACC Freshman of the Year.

Walters, the 2003 ACC Rookie of the Year, leads the league in scoring with 51 points and goals with 36 this season. The sophomore attackman was named to the All-ACC team this year and was also voted the ACC Championship MVP. Walters tallied six goals and one assist in the Championship game to lead Maryland to its first ACC title since 1998. He had nine goals during the event to set a new ACC Tournament record.

Cottle earns ACC Coach of the Year honors for the first time in his career. In just his third season at Maryland, Cottle led the Terrapins to their first ACC crown since 1998 and a ranking in the top three of the Geico/USILA/STX Division I Coaches' Poll all season long.

This year marks the first time since 1998 that Maryland has both the Player of the Year and Coach of the Year awards. Goalie Kevin Healy was the ACC Player of the Year in 1998 and legendary coach Dick Edell earned his third ACC Coach of the Year honor in 1998 as well.

Duke freshman attackman Matt Danowski ranks in the top-five in the ACC in scoring (34 points), goals (21) and assists (13) this year. He leads the Blue Devils in both scoring and goals on the season. Danowski was named to the ACC All-Tournament Team, after recording four goals and two assists in Duke's 10-7 loss in the semifinals.