Two Hounds Nominated for MLL Honors Awards
August 8, 2018 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Charlotte Hounds News Release
After leading the Hounds to its second best finish in franchise history and Team USA to a gold medal in the 2018 FIL World Lacrosse Championship, Michael Ehrhardt was nominated for Major League Lacrosse's Warrior Defensive Player of the Year. The honor is presented to the athlete whose defensive contributions to his team were exceptional during the regular season.
Ehrhardt scored eight goals, including three two-pointers for the Hounds this season, which marked a career-high and led all defensive players in MLL. His 16 points also paced all defenders in the league while his 42 ground balls ranked top-5 among non-faceoff players. Ehrhardt also caused a team-high 12 turnovers this season.
At the beginning of the season, general manager Mike Cerino told US Lacrosse Magazine, "Michael Ehrhardt is a dominant player. You won't find him in anybody's Top 25, but I think he's in the Top 10. (He's) six-foot-five, can cover anybody, and one of the best offensive long poles in the league."
In the World Games, Ehrhardt was named to the All-World Team and Tournament MVP, becoming the first defender to earn the honor since Hall of Famer Dave Pietramala in 1990.
"Michael, I am guessing is one of the only defenseman to win a World's MVP," teammate Tom Schreiber said. "And, I think everyone on our team would agree 1,000% he was our MVP.
"Mike Ehrhardt covered me in high school and was always a very tough matchup. How much he's elevated his game in the last year, and then elevated it again in this tournament, with all the pressure and in the biggest game of our careers, Mike excelled."
He helped Team USA establish the best defense in the tournament with a 5.3 goals against per game average. Ehrhardt also played a huge factor off the wing on faceoffs. He tallied 26 groundballs, second-best in the tournament, which propelled Team USA to a tournament leading 69 percent faceoff win percentage. He even added a pair of goals in Team USA's semifinal win over Australia.
In addition, Kevin Crowley has been nominated for the David Huntley Man of the Year Award, which will also be presented during the ceremony in memory of the former MLL head coach who passed away in December 2017. The award will be presented to the lacrosse athlete who has demonstrated, "Sportsmanship and professionalism that are beyond reproach" and who "Makes selfless, meaningful contributions to Major League Lacrosse, the game of lacrosse and to his community."
Crowley, who played for Huntley as a member of Team Canada in the 2010 World Lacrosse Championships, just completed his eighth season in MLL, the last three with the Charlotte Hounds.
"Kevin Crowley is a consummate professional. He is a leader in the locker room, a mentor to the younger players and an ambassador of the game. He loves to play the game and it's evident whenever he steps on the field. His commitment to both teach and grow the game nationally and internationally is well known," head coach Jim Stagnitta said. "It has truly been an honor to work with Kevin. He has my utmost respect as well as that of his teammates and competitors."
The second annual MLL Honors awards ceremony will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 17 at the historic American Theater in Charleston, S.C. and will be aired on Lacrosse Sports Network (LSN). Ohio Machine goaltender, Scotty Rodgers, and ESPN and Inside Lacrosse analyst, Quint Kessenich, will co-host the proceedings. The event precedes the 18th MLL Championship Game, which will be held Saturday, Aug. 18 at Charleston's MUSC Health Stadium at 7 p.m. For more information about the game and to purchase tickets, click the button below.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from August 8, 2018
- Dominique Alexander Nominated for the David Huntley Man of the Year Award - Ohio Machine
- Kevin Rice and Christian Cuccinello Among the Finalists for 2018 MLL Awards - Atlanta Blaze
- Ratliff Nominated for MLL's New David Huntley Man of the Year Award - Atlanta Blaze
- Two Hounds Nominated for MLL Honors Awards - Charlotte Hounds
- MLL Announces 2018 Honors Awards Nominees - MLL
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