The Premier Lacrosse League unveiled its list of finalists for the major 2020 awards yesterday, and we did not have to wait long for winners to be announced. The All-Tournament team from the PLL Championship Series was also announced Thursday evening.
The Jim Brown MVP of the Championship Series was already awarded to Zed Williams, who is also the Golden Stick Award winner as the league's top scorer. Williams was hardly the only Whipsnakes player recognized.
Each of the awards are named after legends in the lacrosse world. Take a look at the winners.
DAVE PIETRAMALA DEFENSEMAN OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Winner: Matt Dunn, Whipsnakes
Dunn caused two turnovers and secured seven ground balls as the best defenseman on the best defense.
GAIT BROTHERS MIDFIELDER OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Winner: Tom Schreiber, Archers
Schreiber finished the Championship Series with 12 goals and four assists with a shooting percentage of 41 percent.
GEORGE BOIARDI HARD HAT SSDM OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Winner: Tyler Warner, Whipsnakes
A lockdown SSDM, Warner stifled opposing attackmen and totaled 16 ground balls.
BRODIE MERRILL LONG STICK MIDFIELDER OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Michael Ehrhardt, Whipsnakes
A ground ball machine, totaling 26 in the Whips' title run. He also caused seven turnovers.
PAUL CANTABENE FACEOFF ATHLETE OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Winner: Joe Nardella, Whipsnakes
An obvious choice. Nardella was No. 1 in the league with a mark of 72 percent and an even 100 wins.
EAMON MCENEANEY ATTACKMAN OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Winner: Zed Williams, Whipsnakes
His 20 goals and three assists were second on the Whips to Matt Rambo (25 points), but Williams willed the Whips to a win in the championship game.
OREN LYONS GOALIE OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Winner: Blaze Riorden, Chaos
Kyle Bernlohr had a legitimate case, but the Chaos would not have made a playoff run without Riorden, who saved 61 percent of shots faced.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Attack
Zed Williams, Whipsnakes
Josh Byrne, Chaos
Matt Rambo, Whipsnakes
Midfield
Tom Schreiber, Archers
Michael Ehrhardt, Whipsnakes
Joe Nardella, Whipsnakes
Defense
Matt Dunn, Whipsnakes
Jack Rowlett, Chaos
Garrett Epple, Redwoods
Goalie
Blaze Riorden, Chaos