University of Hartford lacrosse standout goalie Scott Bement was named America East Rookie of the Year in 2009. One of three major awards the conference hands out each year.
Bement, a freshman goal tender, was a bright spot for Hartford this season leading the league and ranking 13th in the country in save percentage (0.57). Bement, who was also second in America East with a 9.76 goals against margin
Bement had his breakout game in a late season 10-8 upset over No. 6 UMBC on April 18. In that contest, Bement made a career high 19 saves, including 11 in the second half, to hold the nation’s fifth-best offense to four goals under their average.
Bement was tabbed Inside Lacrosse National Player of the Week for his efforts.
Scott Bement is back and has also been named to the America East Coaches’ Preseason All-Conference team as released by Inside Lacrosse on Monday afternoon.
Hartford goalie Scott Bement named to the America East Coaches Preseason All Conference team by Inside Lacrosse on Monday
#24 Scott Bement
Position: Goalie
Height: 6-0
Weight: 175
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Canandaigua, NY
High School: Canandaigua
As a Freshman (2009): Named America East Rookie of the Year, the first Hartford player to earn the honor since 2003.
Also named to the America East All-Conference Second Team and the All-Rookie Team … played in 10 games while making nine starts … recorded a save percentage (.577) that led the conference and ranked 13th nationally.
Also led the America East in saves per game (12.7) and ranked second among starting goalies in goals-against average (9.76) … recorded 10 saves in his first career victory against Presbyterian and followed that effort with a career-high 19 saves in the upset over sixth-ranked UMBC.
For that effort Scott Bement was named:
America East Player of the Week
The Turfer/NEILA Player of the Week
LAXnews College Beat Player of the Week
And Nike/Inside Lacrosse Player of the Week (April 20).
Bement finished the season ranked 21st in the Inside Lacrosse freshman rankings.
A four-year letter winner for the Canandaigua Lacrosse team at Canandaigua Academy … as a senior captain, led his team to a 22-1 record, a Section V championship and a ranking of 11th in the nation by Inside Lacrosse … named a US Lacrosse All-American, Section V Defensive Player of the Year, All-Greater Rochester Player of the Year and Daily Messenger Player of the Year … also a standout athlete in football and basketball.
The sophomore goaltender was the Daily Messenger Boys Lacrosse Player of the Year in 2008 after his senior season at Canandaigua Academy.
Also on the University of Hartford lacrosse team are Canandaigua Lacrosse stand outs Austin Rogers and Ben Knapton.
As a Freshman in Austin Rogers played in eight games highlighted by a pair of assists against Stony Brook
#9 Austin Rogers
Position: Midfield
Height: 6-1
Weight: 185
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Canandaigua, NY
High School: Canandaigua
As a Freshman (2009): Played in eight games, all off the bench … scored one goal and added four assists for five points … scored his first career goal at Vermont … recorded a pair of assists against Stony Brook … picked up one ground ball and forced one turnover an America East Academic Honor Roll selection.
Played both lacrosse and football at Canandaigua High School … a two-time Finger Lakes All-League selection in lacrosse and was named to the Section V All-Tournament Team as a senior … also a two-time all-league pick in football who led his team to a Section V championship in 2007.
Ben Knapton, one of five players to start and play all 13 games, chosen as an America East Commissione’s Honor Roll selection in 2009
#6 Ben Knapton
Position: Long Stick Midfield
Height: 6-4
Weight: 185
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Canandaigua, NY
High School: Canandaigua
As a Freshman (2009): One of five players to start and play all 13 games … scooped up 24 ground balls and forced 15 turnovers … had four ground balls against both Harvard and Holy Cross … an America East Commissioner’s Honor Roll selection.
A three-year starter and three-time all-league selection at Canandaigua Academy … named team captain as a senior and was selected to the Section V All-Tournament Team … invited to the National Senior Showcase Tournament in Chicago … also a three-time all-league selection in swimming and a second team pick in soccer.
The Hawks were only 2-11 last season but lost eight games by two goals or less.
They open their 2010 season on Feb. 20 at UMass.
