LOUISVILLE, KY. --- The University of Mount Olive men's lacrosse team had the second-highest number of student-athletes recognized in program history on the Nike/USILA All-Americans list as announced by the association Wednesday. Four Trojans were named to the All-American list marking the second-most from just a year ago when Mount Olive had a division-highest five selections named.
Sophomore defender Jacob Williams led the group with his first-team selection while short-stick defensive midfielder Brady Elbin landed on the second team. Rounding out the Trojans All-American selections on the third team were sophomore goalie Andrew Avarello and senior attack Thatcher Clark.
A Rockwall, Texas native, Williams collected the biggest conference defensive honor being named the Conference Carolinas Defensive Player of the Year while also help the Trojans advance to the semifinals of the conference tournament. Williams was also a first-team all-conference selection. He started all 16 games for the Trojans and collected 46 ground balls and caused 29 turnovers, he also had one goal to his credit. Nationally, Williams helped Mount Olive to the No. 1 man-down defense in NCAA DII.
A sophomore specialist from Greensboro, N.C., Elbin played in 14 games for Mount Olive scoring two times with two assists on the offensive side and defensively forced eight turnovers and collected 31 groundballs. Elbin was also a first-team all-conference selection. The second-team All-American honor is the first of his career and second overall after receiving third-team honors last season.
Clark, a senior from Winter Park, Fla, played in all 16 games and started two in the midfield for the green and white. He tallied 32 goals and eight assists for 40 points on the year. Clark picked up nine ground balls and took 121 shots with 75 coming on goal. He was also a first-team all-conference selection. Clark was one of two Trojans on this year's list to repeat as an All-American, he was named a third-team AA last season.
Avarello, a sophomore from Clarence, N.Y., was a staple for Mount Olive in between the pipes as he started all 16 games for the Trojans and compiled an 11-4 overall record this season. His goals-against average of sub 7.50 was second-best in DII and his save percentage of 63.9 was also second-best in DII making his a formidable force for opposing offenses. Avarello was also a first-team all-conference goalie selection. The third-team All-American honor for him is the first of his career.
The Trojans finished the season ranked 15th in the USILA Coaches Poll with an overall record of 12-4 and 5-2 against conference foes. UMO finished the season with an appearance in the semifinals of the Conference Carolinas championship tournament. Mount Olive as a team had the second-best scoring defense in the nation allowing 7.69 goals per game. They finished 1st with a 92.3% man-down defense and 1st in the nation in clearing percentage at 89.8%.