LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 28, 2021)  – Senior Shawn Coulter was named Short-Stick Defensive Midfielder of the Year, the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) announced Friday as part of its Dynamic Division III All-America Team announcement. 

Coulter, who was also named a First Team All-American as a Short-Stick Defensive Midfielder, becomes the first student-athlete in the program's 137-year history to earn a positional Player of the Year award from the USILA.

"We have had First Team All-Americans here at Stevens, but this is the first time we have had a USILA positional Player of the Year," said head coach Gene Peluso. "We are thrilled that Shawn was selected and it couldn't happen to a more deserving and focused student-athlete."

"To be selected as a First Team All-American is an elite accomplishment, but to do it as a short-stick defensive midfielder is even more elite because only one student-athlete is chosen at that position," Peluso continued. "Shawn is so deserving of such an honor. He works so hard to do anything and everything for his team. He is considered the heart of our team and wears the "hard hat" at every practice and in every game."

Coulter continued to excel in several facets for the Ducks, whether it was scoring goals, securing possessions or helping to slow down opposing offenses. An honorable mention Maverik Men's Lacrosse DIII Media All-American one season ago, Coulter finished his fourth season on Castle Point with a career-high 17 goals and nine assists to total a career-best 26 points. The Schwenksville, Pennsylvania native ended the season with a six-game point streak. He also caused 14 turnovers, picked up 87 ground balls to rank second on the team, and won three faceoffs. Coulter was extremely efficient on offense, finding the back of the net on nearly 50 percent of his shot attempts and over 75 percent of his shots were on-goal. 

Joining Coulter on the USILA's First Team was classmate Ryan Gebhardt, while graduate student Daniel Crotty was named to the organization's Third Team. Junior Michael Burns, sophomore Joe Cawley and graduate student Bubba Brennan received an honorable mention to round out Stevens' All-America accolades. The first-team recognition for Coulter and Gebhardt were the first for the program since alumnus Nicolas Philippi was named a First Team All-American by the USILA in 2013. 

"The USILA is the ultimate in All-America Honors," Peluso offered. "The USILA has a long and rich tradition and history and has been the "gold standard" in the recognition of student athletes. We are excited whenever our student-athletes are honored by all organizations, but being honored by the USILA is special! We are proud of these student-athletes, but they will tell you that it takes a team, and our program and each of our student-athletes contributed to these awards."

Gebhardt, the MAC Freedom Offensive Player of the Year, led the Ducks with 73 goals and 30 assists to total 103 points, setting a program record for goals and points in a single season. The Baldwinsville, New York native, who ranked 16th in the country in both goals and points per game also broke the program's career goal-scoring record and is just the second student-athlete in program history to reach 100 points in a single season. Gebhardt had 14 hat tricks, including one in ten of his last 11 contests, and also netted four game-winners. Gebhardt also scored four times on the man-advantage and once while short-handed. The high-scoring attackman totaled at least three points in every game this season and closed his four-year career with at least one point in each of his last 55 contests.

"Ryan has accomplished so much in his time here," Peluso said. "He rewrote the record books and was an impact player from the day he arrived on campus. Ryan's successes on the field were a direct result of his hard work and focus on his game. We asked him to do a lot for us and he was willing and able to be an elite scorer during his career. Another great leader, person and student-athlete who has helped our program in so many ways, we are so proud to see Ryan continue to receive the honors he has earned."

Crotty was one of the backbones of a stingy Stevens defensive group that allowed just over eight goals per game, which ranked among the nation's leaders. The Charlotte, North Carolina native led the team with 26 caused turnovers, helping the Ducks rank among the nation's leaders in the statistic. The two-time Honorable Mention All-American also finished third on the team with 53 ground balls and was a key element of the Ducks' transition offense, helping Stevens to the ninth-best clearing percentage in the country. Crotty, named to the USILA's Senior All-Star Game earlier in the day, also scored a pair of goals. 

"Dan has been the backbone of our defense for years and has been a leader of our team and our defense,' Peluso shared. "He plays with a toughness and edge that served him and our defense well. Dan played at the highest of levels since his arrival and fought through injuries to only come back stronger and more determined. I am excited that Dan was honored again by the USILA."

Brennan played a key role in both the midfield and the defensive end for the Ducks. A Third Team Media All-American one season ago, Brennan caused 24 turnovers and picked up 37 ground balls, setting new career highs in each statistic. Brennan helped the Ducks rank among the nation's leaders in scoring defense, ground balls and clearing percentage. The Mountain Lakes, New Jersey also dished out a career-high three assists. Brennan joined Crotty in earning a spot in the USILA's Senior All-Star Game.

"Another student-athlete who has been a steady performer since his arrival on campus," Peluso reflected. "He has been an All-American as a defenseman and now is an All-American at long-stick midfielder. He always did what was asked from him and always put the team's needs first. Bubba was a three-year captain and one of our energy players, and he played with that energy and passion everyday."

Burns collects his first national recognition after earning his first career All-Conference selection earlier this month. The Waxhaw, North Carolina native netted 29 goals with 22 assists to finish third on the team with 51 points, setting new career marks across the board. Burns had four hat tricks and recorded three assists on four different occasions. The third-year midfielder scored twice on the man-advantage and added a pair of game-winners. He also caused nine turnovers and picked up 31 ground balls. 

"Michael played midfield for us, but we tried to keep him on the field as much as possible," Peluso said. "He is a tough athlete that not only produces on the offensive end, but also makes great plays in the middle of the field with ground ball play and also contributes defensively. Michael has really become a great leader and energy player for us and we are thrilled that he was recognized by the USILA."

Cawley was another key member of the Ducks' defensive unit that ranked 24th in the country in scoring defense to earn his first career national recognition. When paired with the team's potent offense, the Ducks outscored opponents by 10.53 goals per game, which was tops in the MAC Freedom by more than three goals. Individually, the Syosset, New York native ranked second on the team with 25 caused turnovers, while also picking up 41 ground balls.

"The youngest of our student-athletes to be honored, but a very deserving recipient of this honor," Peluso commented. "Another strong defender who played as a bookend with Crotty, Joe  developed into a leader for us and showed that he is a great defender. He established himself in 2020 as a first-year student-athlete and then continued to play well in the 2021 season as a sophomore."

Salisbury University's Cross Ferrara was named Lt. Col. J.L. Turnbull Outstanding Attackman of the Year and Iroquois National Outstanding Player of the Year, while teammate Jarrett Bromwell and Brett Malamphy were tabbed Fran McCall Outstanding Midfielder and Face-Off Player of the Year, respectively. Cabrini University's Tommy Deluca and York College of Pennsylvania's Ryan Kenndy shared the William C. Stiles Memorial Award for Outstanding Defensemen. Rochester Institute of Technology netminder Walker Hare was selected Ensign C. Markland Kelly Jr. Outstanding Goalie and York's Tyler Nation was named Long Pole Midfielder of the Year to round out the organization's individual awards.

Brennan, Coulter, Crotty and Gebhardt were previously recognized by USA Lacrosse Magazine as Third Team All-Americans. 

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