Top scorers
1. Michael Watson, attackman, Virginia: Once healthy, considered most dangerous player on the field.
2. Casey Powell, midfielder, Syracuse: Unstoppable in the open field.
3. Jesse Hubbard, attackman, Princeton: Headlines efficient Tigers attack.
Top passers
1. Jon Hess, attackman, Princeton: Intelligent quarterback of Tigers junior scoring machine.
2. Casey Powell, midfielder, Syracuse: Unquestionably, most complete player in the game.
3. Chris Turner, attackman, UMBC: Overlooked Retrievers feeder can play with the best.
Top defensemen
1. Brian Kuczma, Johns Hopkins: Best man-to-man defender and stronghold of seasoned Blue Jays defense.
2. Tyler Hardy, Duke: Attempting to repeat as Defenseman of the Year.
3. Becket Wolf, Princeton: This converted attackman is far from a project.
Top goalkeepers
1. Greg Cattrano, Brown: Quick reflexes and daring clears could carry the Bears.
2. Alex Cade, Notre Dame: Best of the Midwest is not a secret anymore.
3. Jason Gebhardt, Syracuse: Allowed an average of nine goals over last 10 games.
Top faceoff specialists
1. Werner Krueger, Johns Hopkins: Gritty, emotional leader who hustles for every loose ball.
2. Jamie Hanford, Loyola: Uses defenseman's stick to attack faceoffs.
3. James Mitchell, Princeton: Statistics fail to show clutch play.
Top freshmen
1. A. J. Haugen, midfielder, Johns Hopkins: Blue Jays grab top recruit in the country for second straight year.
2. Josh Sims, midfielder, Princeton: Top talent out of Maryland will vie for spot in crowded Tigers midfield.
3. Drew McKnight, attackman, Virginia: Not a spectator alongside Watson and Doug Knight.
Most underrated
1. Dave LaChapelle, defenseman, Maryland: Top defender for one of the nation's best defenses, but didn't make first-team all-conference.
2. Matt Clune, attackman, Towson State: Skills and versatility underappreciated nationally.
3. Jason Gebhardt, goalkeeper, Syracuse: Overshadowed by crushing Orange offense.
Best offenses
1. Virginia: Two-thirds of possibly the top attack of the '90s return.
2. Princeton: Junior attackmen Hubbard, Hess and Chris Massey have played like seniors for two years.
3. Syracuse: Name a year the Orangemen haven't had one of the top three offenses.
Best defenses
1. Johns Hopkins: The best close defensemen under Seaman at Homewood.
2. Princeton: Has allowed double figures in only nine games over four seasons (60 games).
3. Maryland: A bullying defense and a new left-handed goalkeeper look to put the Terps back into the Final Four.
Pub Date: 2/21/97
