May 17, 1996

Release # S069 Contact: Adam Levin Sports Information Director Phone #: (207) 786-6411

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Two Bobcats Named to Men's Lacrosse All-Star Game;
Team Ends Season Ranked 9th in New England

LEWISTON, Maine -- Seniors Rob Toomey of Annapolis, Md. and James Smith of

Ridgewood, N.J., of the Bates College lacrosse team, have been selected to play in the New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (NEILA) East/West All-Star Game.

Toomey, an attack, led Bates in scoring this season. He tallied 22 goals and 28 assists for a total of 50 points. He had four six-point games this season, including five goals and two assists in the Bobcats' 15-7 win over MIT April 20. "I doubt we could have played as well this season without Rob's leadership and playmaking ability," head coach Al Brown said.

Smith, a long-stick midfielder, only scored one goal this season, also against MIT. However, his defensive play was crucial to the team's success this season. "James in one of the top defensive players in New England and its good to see him get recognized for it," said Brown.

The game will be played May 19 at 3 p.m. at Babson College in Wellesley, Mass. Participation in the game is one of the top honors that can be earned in New England lacrosse. "This is a great chance for [Toomey and Smith] to play with some of the best players in New England from all divisions, " Brown said. "It will be a great experience for them and will show everyone else what Bates has to offer."

The Bobcats ended the 1996 campaign with a 7-8 record and a ranking of ninth in the Brine Division III New England Lacrosse Ratings, their highest finishing position in that poll in the 1990s. "This is a good starting point for this team. There are 40 or so teams in New England, and this shows that we are in the upper echelon. We want to continue to be recognized with some of the other schools up there and climb through the ranks," Brown said.

Toomey is a 1992 graduate of St. Andrew's School, Middletown, Del. He is the son of Robert and Ruth Toomey of 1565 St. Margaret's Rd., Annapolis.

Smith is a 1992 graduate of Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass. He is the son of Clinton and Joan Smith, 260 Highwood Ave., Ridgewood.

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