The Hamilton Nationals began the season with a franchise-best 5-0 start and first-time All-Star Kevin Crowley has been a big part of their success. Crowley will be making his debut at the MLL All-Star Game presented by Moe’s Southwest Grill July 13 in Charlotte, N.C.
Hamilton drafted Crowley as the first overall pick in 2011. With League-high numbers and his All-Star selection, the third time may be the charm for this third-year player as they make a push for the Steinfeld Trophy.
Crowley began the 2013 season with a splash, recording four goals and three assists in Hamilton’s season opener at Boston. The three assists and seven points are a career high, and seven points are the most by a National in 2013.
The Stony Brook product has had two career-high five-goal games this season. Five goals are the most scored by a National in 2013 with Stephen Keogh also notching five goals against the Bayhawks. Crowley is also in the midst of a club-best 25-game streak with at least a goal or an assist.
Crowley’s career season has helped him to become a League leader in points and goals. He has led the League in points three different weeks this season and has been first in goals twice.
Crowley now sits in second in goals scored with 29 and third in points with 41. Fellow first-time All-Star, Denver’s Chris Bocklet, is first in goals and second in points, and Paul Rabil’s eight-point game against Charlotte last week moved him into first in the League in points.
Last year, Crowley finished second on the Nationals in points and goals. Crowley’s 29 goals through ten games this year surpass his previous season-high of 24 in 2012. After a five-point game at Rochester, Crowley has also exceeded his 2012 point total by four.
Crowley is also making his way into the club all-time record books for Hamilton. He has recorded 98 points as a National, second only to Joe Walters’s 160. He is only six goals shy of Walters’s first-place 73 goals. Crowley ranks third all-time for assists as a National with 30. He trails Walters and Brodie Merrill in this category. Both Walters and Merrill will join Crowley in the 2013 All-Star Game in their sixth and eighth appearances, respectively.
Crowley’s college career at Stony Brook was also one for the record books. He won the 2010 USILA Enners Award and 2011 USILA Lt. Donald McLaughlin, Jr. Award. He earned First Team All-America honors in 2011 and 2010. In 2010, Crowley was named a Tewaaraton finalist and America East Player of the Year in a unanimous decision. He is also the only player in Stony Brook history to record 100 or more goals and assists and is one of three players in America East history to be a four-time first team selection.
To check out Crowley in the MLL All-Star Game presented by Moe’s Southwest Grill purchase tickets atMajorLeagueLacrosse.com All-Star Game page. The game will be held at American Legion Memorial Stadium July 13 at 7 p.m. and broadcast live on ESPN2.
