Loyola men's lacrosse team receives NCAA championship rings

A Friday night celebration had a nice ring to it for the Loyola men's lacrosse team.

The Greyhounds received their NCAA championship rings Friday for beating Maryland, 9-3, on May 28 in Foxborough, Mass. In addition to the jewels, the bands feature a large Loyola "L" in the middle.

"This is an opportunity tonight to remember the journey this team went on," coach Charley Toomey said before presenting the rings. "This is a time to remember the successful team this was."

The Greyhounds handed out team awards before the ring ceremony.

Eric Lusby (Severna Park), the NCAA tournament's Most Outstanding Player, was named the team's Most Valuable Player, while the program also handed out two awards for the first time to Lusby's fellow senior captains.

J.P. Dalton won the Joe Boylan Award for Leadership and Inspiration, and Dylan Grimm was the inaugural recipient of the Dr. Paul Bagley Award for Dedication and Sacrifice.

Mike Sawyer earned Offensive MVP, and Scott Ratliff and Joe Fletcher shared Defensive MVP honors. Pat Byrnes was tabbed the Most Improved Player, and Nikko Pontrello earned Rookie of the Year. Ratliff also picked up the team's Groundball Award. 

The Greyhounds will play their only contest of the fall Saturday, Oct. 13, when they host Villanova at 1 p.m.

'Hounds on 'NFL Countdown'

A segment featuring several Greyhounds players talking about a surprise motivational speech Ravens All-Pro inside linebacker Ray Lewis gave to them this spring will air during ESPN's "Sunday NFL Countdown" (10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday). 

An ESPN camera crew visited Ridley Athletic Complex this summer and talked to players about Lewis' appearance before their win over Denver in the NCAA quarterfinals at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Junior midfielder Pat Laconi is featured in the piece, which will include some of Lewis’ speeches and an interview with the two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.