BEST WOMEN’S TEAM
Women’s Lacrosse

The women’s lacrosse team finished the year with a 3-6 record in the NESCAC, ending up ranked 15th overall among Division III Collegiate lacrosse programs. Despite not having a dominant record, the Cardinal women battled some of the nation’s best competition with 9 of 12 NESCAC teams ranked in the national top 20, including the Cards. Most of the team’s losses were just by a few goals, including Saturday’s 14-13 heartbreaking overtime loss to the Williams Ephs. The women were able to play tough against top teams like Middlebury, Amherst and Williams, while pulling off victories over Trinity, Connecticut College, and Bates. The Cardinals fell to sixth-ranked Bowdoin in the first round of the playoffs the day after fighting the Ephs in an overtime game. Despite a quick exit from the playoffs, the Red and Black put together a strong season that contained numerous team and individual highlights.

BEST MEN’S TEAM
Men’s Lacrosse

2005 was an up and down year for the men’s lacrosse, but the Cardinal team worked out of an 0-4 start in the NESCAC to close out the regular season with five straight wins. The Red and Black captured their third straight outright Little Three Title, taking down Amherst 10-8 and Williams 7-5 over a one-week period. At 5-4 in NESCAC play the Cardinals are in a 3-way tie for fourth place in the league. Ranked as high as number six nationally among Division III programs, the Cardinals fluctuated in the poll and currently hold a rank of 17th as they head into the semifinal round of the NESCAC playoffs. As a team, Wesleyan ranks among the top four in goals per game and goal against average, scoring 10+ goals and holding opponents to 8. With the outlook good for Saturday’s match-up, the men’s lacrosse team could be headed to its second straight NESCAC championship game in as many years. The team continues to define a standard of excellence in university athletics.

BEST FEMALE ROOKIE
Becca Feiden ’08, Softball

In only her first year on the women’s softball team, freshman Becca Feiden led the team in six offensive categories. Batting out of the lead-off position, the first year starter was the team leader in batting average (.366), hits (34), at bats (93), walks (9), on base percentage (.422), and stolen bases (6). Bringing everything a coach wants out of a one hitter, Feiden’s future as the center fielder for the Cardinal softball team looks certain.

BEST MALE ROOKIE
Grayson Connors ’08, Men’s Lacrosse

Leading all freshmen in points with 12 (8 goals, 4 assists), and owner of a team best .471 shooting percentage, this freshman attack from Princeton Junction, New Jersey looks promising for a Cardinal lacrosse program that will be in need of attack-men after the departure of this year’s graduating class. Though the underclassman has not seen a lot of game time, he has made the most of his opportunities. Exploding for a six-point game against Western Connecticut State University, Connors netted three goals and passed off for three assists, while putting away a pair of scores against Babson in the third game of his college career.

BEST FEMALE ATHLETE
Becca Vogel ’05, Women’s Lacrosse

Senior captain and a pre-season All-American, Vogel came into the 2005 season as the all-time leader in points (goals + assists). Leading the 15th ranked Cardinal attack, Vogel broke her own single-season record for points (46) by netting 52 goals and dishing out 9 assists for a 61-point effort this spring, good enough to lead the team and put her among the top two NESCAC leaders in goals, goal per-game average, and total points. Vogel scored, but wasn’t forced into bad shots, converting an unprecedented 59 percent of her shots for goals. A shoo in for all-NESCAC and All-America votes, Vogel has set records for career goals (176) and career points (213) at the University, and improved her totals with every season in the program.

BEST MALE ATHLETE
Jason Vitko ’05, Baseball

Senior captain and the starting shortstop for the Cardinals in 2005, Vitko has seen action in various positions as a starter in every game this season. Playing first and third base, as well as shortstop, Vitko has been able to adjust to conditions at any defensive position, making only nine errors in 126 chances. A pitcher in starting and relief rolls during 2002 and 2003, Vitko converted to position player full-time in 2004. Despite more than a year away from the mound, Vitko got his first start in two years against Western New England College this season, giving up only one earned run in 3.2 innings of work for a team leading 2.45 ERA. On the offensive side, Vitko leads the team in batting average (.340), hits (35), and total bases (44). Working consistently out of the three hole, #16 is also among the team leaders in RBI with 18, and has 5 doubles and 2 triples to his credit. A lifetime .310 hitter, Jason “Doc” Vitko has been a consistent producer every season of his four-year varsity career. He will leave the program with 100+ hits, 50+ RBI, and less than 30 strikeouts in 350+ at bats.