5/19/2009
Perry, N.Y.----Wingate University redshirt senior midfield Mark Hodsdon (Hilton Head Island, S.C.) and senior defense Evan Schaller (Kirkville, N.Y.) have shared many memories during their Bulldog lacrosse careers. The latest is one of the highest honors a student-athlete can receive. Both Hodsdon and Schaller are NCAA Division II All-America second team selections, as named by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA).
Wingate is only Deep South Conference member school to place a student-athlete on either the first or second team. NCAA Division II finalists C.W. Post and Le Moyne combined to earn seven first-team nods, with Post gathering four and the Dolphins taking three. The USILA Awards will be announced all week on InsideLacrosse.com. The student-athletes will be presented at the All-America Reception on Saturday, May 23 at the Marriott Copley Place in Boston.
A two-time All-Deep South Conference selection, Hodsdon led the 2009 Bulldogs in goals (31), assists (24) and points (55). He was listed in the DSC top 10 in each category. He also had 43 ground balls on the year (second on the team charts). Hodsdon had the game-winning assist in Wingate’s 8-7 overtime win at Catawba April 9.
“I was excited when I found out (about the All-America award),” Hodsdon admits. “I invested much time and effort to prepare for the season…my hard work paid off.”
A preseason All-American, Schaller led the Bulldogs with 63 ground balls. The cornerstone of the Wingate defense, Schaller posted one goal and two assists on the year. Schaller is also a two-time All-DSC choice. Both Schaller and Hodsdon were the top vote-getters at their positions in the 2009 All-DSC balloting. In the classroom, Schaller is a two-time ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District III pick.
Schaller echoes Hodsdon’s words. “Hard work pays off,” Schaller notes. “Success is a by-product of hard work. I could not accomplish anything without my teammates. I am proud to share this honor with them. Of course, there is an additional luster…to share this distinction with Mark.”
Hodsdon and Schaller helped Wingate win 40 games during the past four seasons. The Bulldogs won three DSC regular season titles and tourney crown in the last four years.
Q&A with Mark Hodsdon
When did you start playing lacrosse?
I was a sophomore in high school. I also enjoyed football in high school (he made the South Carolina North/South game in football)…and I played baseball and basketball during my formative years.
What intrigued you about lacrosse?
I was drawn to lacrosse because it is a combination of several sports…you have elements of basketball…and you can foul! Lacrosse also includes the aggressive nature of football. It is everything wrapped into one package.
List your top two or three Bulldog lacrosse memories…
1) Winning our first DSC championship in 2006
2) Our first victory over Limestone at Limestone (April 1, 2006)
What is next for you?
I have declared for the MLL draft. I would love to play in the NLL (indoor) as well. I am going to let things play out and see what happens. This summer, I am going to play in the WLA in Vancouver, B.C. with (former Bulldog teammates) Bryan Safarik and Chris Manwaring. The WLA is serious lacrosse; it is a good opportunity for me.
Q&A with Evan Schaller
When did you start playing lacrosse?
I started playing lacrosse in the fifth grade. My twin brother (Alex) started the year before (when he was in fourth grade). I was reluctant at first…but I saw the game and I started to get more familiar with it.
I played varsity soccer and varsity lacrosse three years each in high school. Soccer was my childhood passion. I have followed the English Premier League (soccer) for many years.
What intrigued you about lacrosse?
Honestly, I started playing lacrosse so I would have more opportunities to hang out with my friends. During my formative years, my soccer friends started playing lacrosse…and it grew from there. I would play soccer in the summer and the fall and lacrosse in the spring and the summer. God bless my mom…she had to figure out how to get me to a summer soccer match at 6 p.m. and a lacrosse game at 8 p.m.
List your top two or three Bulldog lacrosse memories…
1) Our senior class earned two wins against Limestone (2006 and 2009)…they (LC) are one of our top rivals…and they are one of the most respected programs in the NCAA Division II. Those wins are good memories (for us).
2) Our class picked up its first win over a ranked Northern team in 2008 when we defeated (then number three) Mercyhurst in two overtimes. They (MC) had played in the NCAA Division II national championship game the previous year. It was a terrific feeling.
3) While I was standing in line waiting for my name to be called on senior day 2009, I took a few extra moments to listen to the accomplishments of our class…as the PA announcer was listing our achievements. I am so proud to have been associated with Wingate University, the lacrosse program and this great group of 10 guys. I am very blessed.
What is next for you?
I would like to move to the Carolinas…specifically the greater Charlotte area…and find a job. Right now, I am living rent free with my family. I want to get back down in the Charlotte area and utilize my accounting degree to find a job in the financial realm.
WINGATE UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a private four-year co-educational institution of 2,129 students, offering active learning opportunities through personalized instruction, international study, faith development, career discovery and community service.
Wingate offers 40 undergraduate majors in arts and sciences, business, education, fine arts, music and sport sciences. It also offers graduate degrees in business, education, physical education, physician assistant studies, sport administration and the doctor of pharmacy degree.
Bulldog student-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division II sports. Wingate University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past three years.
Wingate University is ranked number three among NCAA Division II Academic All-America® producing schools in the 2000’s with 31 honorees during this millennium. Only Pittsburg State (Kan.) University and Truman State (Mo.) University have produced more Academic All-America® honorees during this time period. Wingate’s 40 Academic All-America® honorees (lifetime) is tops among all SAC schools.
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United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA)
2009 NCAA Division II All-America teams
First Team
Attack
Greg Cerar, C.W. Post
Jack Harmatuk, LeMoyne (N.Y.)
Keith Henderson, New York Tech
Greg Rogowski, Merrimack (Mass.)
Midfield
Matt Dimler, C.W. Post
Keith Galante, Molloy (N.Y.)
Matt Messina, New York Tech
Long-Stick Midfielder
Joseph Biondolillo, Dowling (N.Y.)
Defense
Drew Bezek, LeMoyne (N.Y.)
Bryan Leonard, C.W. Post
Spencer Wims, Limestone
Goalie
Doug McIver, LeMoyne (N.Y.)
Specialist
Michael Cama, C.W. Post
Second Team
Attack
Mike Ball, Southern New Hampshire
Stephan LeBlanc, Queens (N.C.)
David Loftus, C.W. Post
Midfield
Matt Chadderdon, LeMoyne (N.Y.)
Mark Hodsdon, Wingate
Albert Maione, Molloy (N.Y.)
Brian Welch, LeMoyne (N.Y.)
Long-Stick Midfielder
Joseph Blount, C.W. Post
Marc Cizenski, LeMoyne (N.Y.)
Defense
Kyle Rubisch, Dowling (N.Y.)
Evan Schaller, Wingate
Matthew Spahr, Mercyhurst (Pa.)
Goalie
Jason LaShomb, Mercyhurst (Pa.)
Dan Sciulla, C.W. Post
Specialist
Brian Griffin, LeMoyne (N.Y.)
Honorable Mention
Attack
Danny Farmer, Mars Hill
John McClure, Dowling (N.Y.)
Midfield
Sean Ball, Southern New Hampshire
Mike Messina, C.W. Post
Mike Poerstel, Limestone
Defense
Jonathon Kology, C.W. Post
Doug Logan, Bentley (Mass.)
Goalie
Timothy Matheis, Pace (N.Y.)