Men's Lacrosse Update: Team Awards, Inisde Lacrosse All-Americans
May 18, 2023 | Men's Lacrosse
The Higginbotham Trophy is the highest honor presented within the Princeton men's lacrosse program. The officlal language reads: Awarded annually to that member of the Princeton varsity lacrosse team who by outstanding play, distinguished sportsmanship and gentlemanly influence has best exemplified the qualities of John Edwards Higginbotham '39, captain of the varsity lacrosse team.
Only twice has the award been given to a sophomore. The first time was in 1945, when Ernie Ransome won the award during a World War II-shortened six game season. The second time? That would be this year.
Coulter Mackesy, a sophomore, was presented the award Wednesday afternoon after a vote of his teammates. Mackesy set Princeton's single-season goals record with 55 while also becoming the first player in program history to have more than one eight-goal game. He finished his season wtih six goals in Princeton's 13-12 loss to Penn State in the NCAA tournament opening round last Sunday night.
In addition to the Higginbotham, the Princeton players voted on three other team awards.
The Howard Trophy is given: In honor of Albert F. Howard '25. Awarded annually to that senior member of the Princeton varsity lacrosse team who has shown the greatest improvement in lacrosse during his undergraduate years at Princeton. The winner for 2023 is Weston Carpenter, who went from not having any career points prior to this year to having six goals and four assists while being a valuable member of the man-up unit. Carpenter will be heading to UConn medical school after graduation.
The Klurfeld Award was awarded to Luke Moriarty. The wording of the award is this: "Presented annually in memory of Scott P. Klurfeld '74. To a player chosen by his teammates who embodies the qualities of perseverance, hard work, team spirit and dedication to Lacrosse and to Princeton, which were exemplified by Scott P. Klurfeld '74." If you've ever been to a Princeton lacrosse game and watched Moriarty, you are not surprised that he won. Despite a career defined by injuries and limited playing time, Moriarty still was a constant source of inspiration for his teammates on gamedays and in practice. His never-ceasing exhuberance was contagious and had a positive impact on everyone on the sideline and on the field.
The final award is the John T. Schroeder Award, which is "awarded annually to a member of the Men's Lacrosse Team who through the embodiment of character and selfless devotion to the team has had the greatest impact on the success of Princeton Men's Lacrosse." It is named in memory of John Schroeder, who was a member of the 1992 NCAA championship team and a 1990 All-Ivy defenseman who was killed on Sept. 11, 2001. The winner for 2023 is Beau Pederson, whose will to win and whose commitment to the team made him the heart and soul of the Tigers. A shortstick defensive midfielder, Pederson was a massive force on the Ivy League's best defensive unit, with 11 caused turnovers, 26 ground balls, three goals and one assist.
In addition to the team awards, Princeton also had five players named to the Inside Lacrosse All-American team. Those five selections were the most of any Ivy school.
Mackesy, Pederson and Alexander Vardaro, who had 26 goals and 23 assists to become the third Princeton middie ever with at least 20 of each, were all second-team selections. Goalie Michael Gianforcaro, who is third in Division I in save percentage and who was the Most Outstanding Player at the Ivy League tournament, and middie Jake Stevens, who scored nine of his 24 goals in the three postseason games, were honorable mention selections.
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Only twice has the award been given to a sophomore. The first time was in 1945, when Ernie Ransome won the award during a World War II-shortened six game season. The second time? That would be this year.
Coulter Mackesy, a sophomore, was presented the award Wednesday afternoon after a vote of his teammates. Mackesy set Princeton's single-season goals record with 55 while also becoming the first player in program history to have more than one eight-goal game. He finished his season wtih six goals in Princeton's 13-12 loss to Penn State in the NCAA tournament opening round last Sunday night.
In addition to the Higginbotham, the Princeton players voted on three other team awards.
The Howard Trophy is given: In honor of Albert F. Howard '25. Awarded annually to that senior member of the Princeton varsity lacrosse team who has shown the greatest improvement in lacrosse during his undergraduate years at Princeton. The winner for 2023 is Weston Carpenter, who went from not having any career points prior to this year to having six goals and four assists while being a valuable member of the man-up unit. Carpenter will be heading to UConn medical school after graduation.
The Klurfeld Award was awarded to Luke Moriarty. The wording of the award is this: "Presented annually in memory of Scott P. Klurfeld '74. To a player chosen by his teammates who embodies the qualities of perseverance, hard work, team spirit and dedication to Lacrosse and to Princeton, which were exemplified by Scott P. Klurfeld '74." If you've ever been to a Princeton lacrosse game and watched Moriarty, you are not surprised that he won. Despite a career defined by injuries and limited playing time, Moriarty still was a constant source of inspiration for his teammates on gamedays and in practice. His never-ceasing exhuberance was contagious and had a positive impact on everyone on the sideline and on the field.
The final award is the John T. Schroeder Award, which is "awarded annually to a member of the Men's Lacrosse Team who through the embodiment of character and selfless devotion to the team has had the greatest impact on the success of Princeton Men's Lacrosse." It is named in memory of John Schroeder, who was a member of the 1992 NCAA championship team and a 1990 All-Ivy defenseman who was killed on Sept. 11, 2001. The winner for 2023 is Beau Pederson, whose will to win and whose commitment to the team made him the heart and soul of the Tigers. A shortstick defensive midfielder, Pederson was a massive force on the Ivy League's best defensive unit, with 11 caused turnovers, 26 ground balls, three goals and one assist.
In addition to the team awards, Princeton also had five players named to the Inside Lacrosse All-American team. Those five selections were the most of any Ivy school.
Mackesy, Pederson and Alexander Vardaro, who had 26 goals and 23 assists to become the third Princeton middie ever with at least 20 of each, were all second-team selections. Goalie Michael Gianforcaro, who is third in Division I in save percentage and who was the Most Outstanding Player at the Ivy League tournament, and middie Jake Stevens, who scored nine of his 24 goals in the three postseason games, were honorable mention selections.
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Players Mentioned
Attack
/ Men's Lacrosse
Goalie
/ Men's Lacrosse
Attack
/ Men's Lacrosse
LSM
/ Men's Lacrosse
Midfield
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Midfield
/ Men's Lacrosse
Midfield
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