For Immediate Release: May 31, 2004
Contact: David Berman (berman@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-2956

BU's McKeown tabbed as honorable mention lacrosse All-American
Standout goalie becomes school's first Division I men's All-American

2004 STX/USILA All-Americans

BALTIMORE, Md.--After a sparkling sophomore season in which he led Binghamton to the title game of the America East Championship, men's lacrosse goalie Kevin McKeown (Brewster, N.Y.) has been named an honorable mention All-American. The 2004 selections were announced by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) at halftime of Monday's national championship game.

"Kevin is an outstanding goalie who is deserving of All-America recognition," head coach Ed Stephenson said. "We're pleased that the committee recognized his contributions in an undefeated regular season and as America East Player of the Year. Kevin is one of those goalies who comes up big in big games. He makes big saves when you have a defensive breakdown, and that's what great goalies do."

McKeown was one of 11 goalies honored with All-America status, joining Brendan Callahan of Stony Brook as the only America East players to be listed among the nation's most elite players. He also becomes the University's first Division I men's All-American in any sport.

"It's obviously a tremendous honor for our program as we're in a building process," Stephenson said. "Our conference continues to improve at a rapid pace and we look forward to many more All-Americans in the future.

Through games of May 24, McKeown ranked third in the entire nation with a 7.03 goals-against average and was 16th in save percentage (.589). He was the anchor of a Binghamton defense that allowed fewer goals per game (6.94) this season than any other team except Navy (6.63).

In just its third season of varsity competition and fielding a team made up almost exclusively of freshmen and sophomores, the Bearcats showed a 4.0 game improvement over last season and defied all expectations on a magical ride that didn't end until a 10-4 loss to defending champion Albany in the America East Championship. Binghamton wound up the season with a 10-6 record, including a 7-1 mark against conference opponents. Despite being selected to finish sixth in the seven-team America East in the coaches' preseason poll, Binghamton raced through the regular season with an undefeated 6-0 mark, won the regular season title and carried the #1 seed into the conference tournament.

Binghamton was one of just 26 teams across the country who had representation on the All-America teams.