From: “Scott W. Selheimer” <selheime@udel.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2014 4:08:49 PM
Subject: SUBJECT: University of Delaware Faceoff Specialist Tyler Barbarich Named Preseason All-American by Inside Lacrosse Magazine
SUBJECT: University of Delaware Faceoff Specialist Tyler Barbarich Named Preseason All-American by Inside Lacrosse Magazine
DATE: December 10, 2014
BALTIMORE — University of Delaware senior men’s lacrosse standout Tyler Barbarich, the reigning Colonial Athletic Association faceoff statistical champion, was recognized once again as one of the nation’s top faceoff specialists Wednesday as he earned a spot on the Inside Lacrosse Magazine Preseason All-American squad.
Barbarich, a native of Martinsville, N.J. (Bridgewater-Raritan High School) and a second team All-Colonial Athletic Association selection in 2014, was one of just five faceoff specialists throughout the country at the NCAA Division I level mentioned as preseason All-Americans by one of the nation’s most respected lacrosse publications and websites.
Bryant’s Kevin Massa was selected first team preseason All-American, Rutgers’ Joe Nardella was the second team pick, Charlie Raffa of Maryland was the third team selection, and Barbarich, Drexel’s Nick Saputo, and Duke’s Kyle Rowe shared honorable mention notice.
Massa led the nation in faceoff winning percentage last season with a mark of .688 while Raffa was second (.686), Barbarich was fourth (.638), Nardella was fifth (.632), Rowe was sixth (.625), and Saputo was seventh (.620). Rowe played last season at Stony Brook before transfering to Duke.
A finance major, Barbarich will look to lead the Blue Hens back to the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament for the second straight year this spring as Delaware welcomes back 9 of its top 10 scorers from a squad that went 7-9 and dropped a tough 8-6 decision to Hofstra in the Colonial Athletic Association semifinals.
Playing in 14 games as a junior in 2014, Barbarich won 153 of his 240 faceoff attempts, good for a success rate of 63.8 percent. He also scooped up 83 groundballs, scored one goal, and dished out three assists. He won 50 percent of his faceoff attempts in 12 of his 14 games and won 70 percent or better seven times. He led the CAA and ranked No. 4 nationally in faceoff winning percentage (.638) and ranked third in the CAA and No. 25 nationally in groundballs with 5.93 per game.
For his career, he has played in 37 games and won 344 of 586 faceoff attempts (.587), recorded 178 groundballs, and scored two goals. He ranks No. 3 all-time at Delaware in faceoff winning pct. and is No. 7 in faceoff wins.
Barbarich was one of six CAA players named to the honorable mention All-American team, joining Saputo, midfielders Colin McLinden and TJ Neubauer of league newcomer Fairfield, midfielder Ryan Belka of Drexel, and defender JoJo Ostrander of Towson.
Delaware will open its regular season Feb. 1 at High Point.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Scott Selheimer | selheime@udel.edu | Office: 302-831-8007 | Cell: 302-562-5129