McGill lacrosse duo earns major CUFLA awards

By Earl Zukerman

MONTREAL – Two members of the McGill Redmen, Lukas LaCava of Weston, Conn., and Brendan Farrer of Oakville, Ont., are among the major award winners announced by the Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association.

LaCava, a third-year management major, was selected as the league’s most outstanding attackman, while Farrer, an economics junior, shared the most valuable defender honours with Reid Acton, a freshman with Brock University, who was also named rookie of the year.

LaCava scored 24 goals and 32 points in 13 games overall and earned all-Canadian status. He led all players with nine goals in the CUFLA 2008 playoffs and was named the Underarmour player of the game in McGill's silver-medal finish at the national championship tournament. LaCava played high school lacrosse at the Lawrenceville School, a New Jersey prep school lacrosse powerhouse.

Farrer, a defensive-minded defender, had one assist in 14 contests with the Redmen and earned all-Canadian honours. In the summer, he also plays junior A box lacrosse for the Burlington Chiefs in Ontario.

Jay Thorimbert, a senior midfielder at the University of Guelph who also toils in the National Lacrosse League for the Boston Blazers, was named the league's most valuable player.

Kalvin Thomas from Trent University was the most outstanding goaltender.

Jesse Thomas and the Trent University program were named the 2008 Coaching Staff of the Year. Trent went undefeated at 10-0 in CUFLA East and earned a trip to CUFLA's Final Four in just its second year in the league.

The most outstanding graduating player award was shared by McMaster University's Tommy Hurley and Bishop's University's Audi Glass.

Established in 1985 the Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association is Canada's premier university lacrosse league and features student-athletes from 10 universities across Ontario and two from Quebec. The league, which features several players from the ranks of the National Lacrosse League, plays a fall season that culminates in the Bagattaway Cup tournament for the Canadian university national championship.

2008 CUFLA Major League Award Winners
Most Valuable Player: Jay Thorimbert, Guelph
Honorable Mention-MVP: Josh Wasson, Trent
Most Outstanding Defenceman (tie): Reid Acton, Brock & Brendan Farrer, McGill
Most Outstanding Midfielder: Jay Thorimbert, Guelph
Most Outstanding Attackman: Luke LaCava, McGill
Most Outstanding Goaltender: Calvin Thomas, Trent
Rookie of the Year: Reid Acton, Brock
Coaching Staff of the Year: Jesse Thomas and his staff at Trent University