ASHKELON, ISRAEL — 12 IPLL players took home a piece of hardware in a ceremony prior to the IPLL Championship Game in Ashkelon last week, including Haifa goaltender Ted Bergman, who was named EL AL League MVP. Bergman (480:00, 107 saves, 53 GA), a rising Junior at Wesleyan University, had an eye-popping 66.9% save percentage and a 6.63 goals against average this summer, helping his team to a 6-2 record.
Ashkelon LC forward Mitch Goldberg was named STX Offensive Player of the Year. Goldberg, who is the all-time leading scorer at Richmond University, racked up 26 goals and 8 assists to lead the league in both goals and points. Goldberg was a member of Israel’s developmental team at the 2014 FIL World Championships.
Tel Aviv LC defender Noah Knopf was named Bank Hapoalim Defensive Player of the Year. The Harvard commit regularly shut down top players on opposing clubs, and also contributed in both the faceoff circle and on the offensive side of the field, chipping in eight goals and three assists. Knopf was a member of Israel’s developmental team at the 2014 FIL World Championships.
Tel Aviv LC midfielder Sacha Stout was presented the Sticks For Kids Sportsmanship Award in recognition of his overwhelming commitment to the development of the sport of lacrosse in Israel. In addition to playing, Stout made significant contributions to the Israel Lacrosse Association through volunteering at youth camps and clinics, serving as a game official when necessary, serving as a tour guide for coaches and other newcomers to the country, and countless other intangibles. Stout, who was fourth in scoring for Tel Aviv LC with four goals and five assists, was a member of Israel’s developmental team at the 2014 FIL World Championships.
Ashkelon LC forward Yotam Drori was named IPLL Rookie of the Year, in recognizing the top Israeli high school “call up” player. The 16-year-old scored three goals in the Premier League. Drori, a member of Israel’s developmental team at the 2014 FIL World Championships, is expected to lead Israel at the 2016 FIL U-19 World Championships in Coquitlam.
First Team All-Israel
Forward
Justin Diamond, Haifa
Mitch Goldberg, Ashkelon
Jesse Parker, Barak Netanya
Midfield
Nate Archer, Haifa
Matthew Flapan, Tel Aviv
Bryan Hopper, Barak Netanya
Defense
Evan Kalish, Ashkelon
Noah Knopf, Tel Aviv
Austin Wolf, Barak Netanya
Goal
Ted Bergman, Haifa
Faceoff
Max Friend, Haifa