2011 USILA Division III All-America Team

SCHENECTADY, NY – For the second consecutive year, Union men's lacrosse goaltender Sean Aaron was named to an All-America team. Aaron was named to the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association All-America Second Team for his outstanding performance during the 2011 season.

 

Joining Aaron is senior defenseman Derek Witheford, who was named USILA All-America Honorable Mention. Witheford is the first Union defenseman to earn All-American recognition since Brian Harris (Honorable Mention) in 1993.

 

Aaron, the Liberty League Defensive Player of the Year and a Liberty League first team honoree, had another solid season in net for the Dutchmen. A three-time Liberty League Defensive Performer of the Week winner, Aaron played his best in league games, leading the conference in goals-against average (7.12) and save percentage (.623) in six league contests. Overall, Aaron finished second in the conference in goals-against (6.90), second in saves per game (10.61) and second in save percentage (.628).

Witheford, a four year starter and team captain was a unanimous Liberty League first team selection after a stellar year on defense. This season, he set career marks with a team-leading 72 ground balls and 35 caused turnovers. Under Witheford's guidance, the Union defense is second in the conference with a 6.66 goals-against average overall, and led the Liberty League with a 7.00 goals-against average in conference games only.

Since the Union men's lacrosse program began in 1919, the Dutchmen have had 65 All-American honorees. Aaron and Witheford helped Union (13-5, 4-2 Liberty League) record the most wins in school history and reach the Division III NCAA Tournament for the first time this season. The Dutchmen won their first Liberty League title with an 8-7, double overtime victory over Rensselaer on April 30.