Team of the Year: Men’s Soccer
It was an historic season for men’s soccer, as the Tribe finished 8-1-2 in the regular season en route to winning the CAA Championship and advancing all the way to the round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament. The team opened the regular season at No. 23 in the nation and finished at No. 11. The College manhandled Hofstra 4-0, in the CAA Championship game before beating University of Maryland, Baltimore County in the first round of the NCAA Tournament and falling in a 1-0 heartbreaker to Southern Methodist University in the Sweet 16.
Runner-up: Women’s tennis
Male Athlete of the Year: Alan Koger
Senior, Men’s soccer
It’s hard not to give this award to the guy that just got drafted by the New England Revolution in the MLS Super Draft. Koger led the Tribe to one of its best seasons ever, which ended in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. The senior’s 10 goals, 22 points, and five game-winners were the best of the squad, and earned him First-Team All-CAA, Second-Team All-South Atlantic Region, and First-Team VaSID All-State honors. The 6 foot, 2 inch forward was a menacing presence for opposing defenses all season, and the void he leaves upon graduation will be very hard to fill.
Runner-up: Logan Billbrough, Baseball
Female Athlete of the Year: Mallory Schafer
Sophomore, Women’s soccer
The First-Team All CAA midfielder had a breakout 2010 for a Tribe team that fell just one loss to Georgia State short of the CAA Tournament. Schaffer started all 19 games for the College, racking up team bests in goals (10) and points (23). The sophomore also consistently came through in big spots for the Tribe, scoring both of the team’s goals in its 2-1 win over Old Dominion, the game-winner over Northeastern, and both of the College’s tallies in its 2-0 win over North Carolina. She also assisted on the game-winning goal against Drexel. The Pennsylvania native took home Third-Team All-Mid-Atlantic Region and First-Team VaSID All-State honors.
Runner-up: Maggie Anderson, Lacrosse
Performance of the Year: Quinn McDowell
Junior, Men’s basketball
Vs. JMU, CAA Tournament Rd. 1
For most of the year, junior forward Quinn McDowell was the best player on a young and inexperienced team. For the majority of the campaign, McDowell drew the toughest coverage from opponents and was hobbled by a nagging knee injury. As a result, the junior was not able to shine as brightly as he did during his sophomore year — that is, until the CAA Tournament. In the College’s opening round draw against James Madison, McDowell put the team on his back with a CAA Tournament record 35 points. He ultimately willed the Tribe to a well-deserved first round victory in the tournament.
Runner-up: Mike Paulus (football) vs. UNC, Oct. 30
Freshman of the Year: Brandon Britt
Men’s basketball
When he first recruited Brandon Britt out of Atlantic Shores Christian Academy in nearby Chesapeake, Va., William and Mary head coach Tony Shaver knew he had something special. But no one could have guessed just how quickly Britt would blossom into a CAA-All Rookie after averaging 10.9 points per game. Britt began the season slowed by injuries, but after a string of solid performances, earned a spot in the starting rotation. The freshman showed raw speed and explosiveness rarely seen at the College, and if he is able to hone and refine his skills, Britt could become one of the premier point guards in the league.
Runner-up: Hope Johnson, Tennis
Senior of the Year:
Grace Golden, Lacrosse
Golden’s offensive numbers so far this season are staggering. The senior not only leads the CAA in goals per game and points per game, but she is also first in the league in game-winning goals. But the midfielder does it on both sides of the ball, leading the conference in draw controls and caused turnovers. The New York native has lead the Tribe to a 10-6, 6-1 CAA record — good for third in the conference — and picked up CAA Co-Player of the Week honors in mid-April. She has also been nominated for the Teewarton Award, which honors the nation’s top women’s lacrosse player. Golden will be sorely missed by the Tribe next season.
Runner-up: Nat Baako, Men’s soccer
Team to Watch: Men’s basketball
The 2010-2011 season was supposed to be a rebulding season, and rebuild the Tribe did. Freshmen guards Brandon Britt and Julian Boatner showed great promise, and with just one player graduating, the Tribe has already made two marquee recruit signings, among them the Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year, Marcus Thornton. Meanwhile, the team’s star, junior forward Quinn McDowell, will look to make history in his senior season. Look for this team to make waves.
Runner-up: Football
— Compiled by Mike Barnes and Jared Foretek
