Let's talk about the postseason awards for a bit.

Player of the Year: Ryan Powell, end of discussion. Anybody who would argue with this is just plain insane. So that brings us to the next point>

Attackman of the Year: Powell again

Defensemen of the Year: This will be close, but I think it will go to Ryan Curtis of UVA. There are a lot of solid defensemen this year, but very few people were consistently good day in and day out like Curtis. His worst game of the year may have been the slippery semi-final in which it seemed like he couldn't find his feet...but he still did an adequate job.

On a side note, I think the surprise 1st teamer from this position could be Demian Davis of Princeton though. He is one hell of a freshman who had the same job as Curtis every week and did just about as well. If this year isn't his year, then he is sure to have a storied career.

The position that is drawing the most arguement is Midfielder of the Year. It seems like it has come down to a race between Jalbert and Sims. Haugen took himself out by getting shut out in his quarterfinal game and by being his slow start this season.

My nod clearly goes to Sims and I think anyone who has watched the two of them play would have to say the same thing. But just in case, here is a little side-by-side comparison:

In head to head competition:
Sims has the edge. Not only did he lead his team to the bigger win, but he has outscored Jalbert in head-to-head matchups, 6-3 in goals and 7-5 in total points. In the big game, Sims had 3, Jalbert had 1. And the votes for MOY are cast following the semifinals.

In facing similar competition:
Again, Sims with the edge.
Against Maryland: Jalbert played MD twice and his totals were 3,3. Sims played MD once, but it was in the NCAA tourney and he went 2,2. So on the basis of performing in important situations, Sims has a slight edge.
Against Syracuse: Both had bad days, but Sims had a bad day in a game that was all but lost by the end of the first quarter, no matter what he had done, they we're going to win. He scored 1 of Princeton's 4. By comparison, UVA really needed Jalbert to step up in a close game vs. Cuse, but Jalbert was SHUT OUT. UVA lost by a goal. Had Jalbert been able to step up when needed, maybe UVA would have won.
Against Rutgers:
Sims running away and fast. Sure, Rutgers is my no means an accurate benchmark from which to judge talent, but it is accurate in comparing performances for these two. So here are the numbers. In one game: Jay Jalbert...1,0. Josh Sims...5,1. How could Rutgers keep Jalbert looked down, but not Sims?

The answer is this: As proven by yesterday's game, Jalbert can be contained. He was held to 1 goal by Chris Berrier, a guy who has only had a long stick in his hand for 3 games of his entire life. Josh Sims obviously cannot be contained.

Also consider that opposing defenses have a lot more to worry about than Jay Jalbert. Sims, in contrast, is NOT surrounded by McKnight, Gill, Bruce, Shure and company. Defenses are designed each week with the focus on Sims alone, and he still proves that he is unstoppable. He has to do a lot more week in and week out. When he gets tired on midfield, they send him down to attack. While he's resting cdown there, he consistently runs by the opposing team's best defensemen on his way to 3 a game.

Also, more to consider: Jalbert led his team in shots, but was only second in goals with 28 (Sims has 35 and shoots at around 32%, close to 45% for his career). After his first goal, he was consistently stuffed by Tierney in the semis. Maybe if he had moved the ball a little better, the outcome would have been differnt.

Nothing against Jalbert or any of the other middies in D-1, but this is an award for the best middie in the country. That means doing the most for your team, playing unselfish (shooting over 30%), doing what is asked of you (playing attack), and being the main guy. It's not about hype or who's name is mentioned the most. Jalbert got more press during the season because his Cav's were the defending champs, but it was Sims who was more consistent and truly the better midfielder.

It's not even a discussion.