PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Saturday was a day of celebration for the Rutgers men's lacrosse team as it began with its annual team banquet at the Busch Campus Faculty Dining Hall followed by a team intra-squad scrimmage and alumni scrimmage on Rutgers' F-3 turf field.

The banquet served as an opportunity to reflect on the 2009 season and give out the program's annual awards. Head coach Jim Stagnitta hosted the banquet and gave out the awards.

The William Miller MVP Award, which is given to the team member in good academic standing that constituted an inspiration to his teammates and made the greatest contribution to the team during the season, was given to Chris O'Dougherty (Kinnelon, N.J.) for the second straight year.

O'Dougherty, an All-ECAC selection in each of the last three years, scooped 43 groundballs during his senior season, second-best on the team. While anchoring the RU defense, O'Dougherty caused 13 turnovers, also second on the squad.

The Robert Collett Trophy, which is awarded to the team member that displays the best mental and physical spirit, was given to Michael DeMeo (Manhasset, N.Y.) for the second straight year.

DeMeo put himself in great shape heading into the 2009 season. However, during the Christmas break he was diagnosed with a sickness that wouldn't allow him to play the rest of the season. Even though he was sidelined for the remainder of the season, the Manhasset, N.Y. native never stopped being a teammate. He showed up every day, supported the team and fulfilled all of his responsibilities to the squad.

"Mike is one of the most committed and unselfish players I have ever coached," said Stagnitta. "He is the definition of a great teammate. I don't know if there is another young man who could do what he has done. He has worked his tail off since the day he got here. I can't tell you how much respect I have for Mike DeMeo."

Midfielder Gerhard Buehning (Essex Fells, N.J.) received the Frederick Fitch Award, which is given to the varsity letter winner that has shown the greatest improvement during the season. Buehning scored 17 goals in 2009 and increased his shot percentage from .181 in 2008 to .236 last season.

The Knight Cup was presented to Taylor Bottar (Syracuse, N.Y.). The Knight Cup is awarded to the player that played the game of lacrosse to the best of his ability and inspired or led his teammates both on and off the field. It goes to the Scarlet Knight that has consistently demonstrated the qualities of unselfishness and loyalty to his team and Rutgers University.

Bottar was named to the All-ECAC Academic Team during his final two seasons representing the Scarlet Knights.

Midfielder Justin Pennington (Flemington, N.Y.) was awarded the Alfred Sasser Award for the second straight year. The award goes to the Scarlet Knight that, in the spirit of team play, made the most assists during the year. Pennington dished out a team-best 16 assists in 2009.

The Al Twitchell Award was started last season and goes to the top freshman. The 2009 recipient was Michael Diehl (Flemington, N.J.). Diehl played in all 15 games last season, including 13 starts. The 6-foot-3 midfielder was third on team in points with 21 (14 goals and seven assists).

Midfielder Brian Shemesh (Hillsborough, N.J.) earned the Collins Award, which is given to the Scarlet Knight that had the greatest increase in grade point average. Shemesh tied for fifth on the team in groundballs with 25 and held a 3.27 GPA as a history major last season. He was named to the 2009 All-ECAC Academic Team.

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2009-10-06