Vote for Carter Bender for AE Fans' Choice Player of the Year!

Carter Bender, a senior attackman on the University of Hartford men’s lacrosse team, is among six players nominated for the 2012 America East Men’s Lacrosse Fans’ Choice Player of the Year, as announced by the conference office on Tuesday, April 24.

For the fourth-straight season, fans of America East men’s lacrosse can voice their opinion on who the best player in the conference is. Voting for the 2012 America East Men’s Lacrosse Fans’ Choice Player of the Year awards is now open, with voting taking place on the league’s Facebook page for the first time.

One player from each of the conference’s six men’s lacrosse teams is listed on the ballot. To vote, click here, or visit the official America East Facebook page and scroll down to the poll post. Be sure to “like” the America East’s Facebook page as well to keep track of the voting and stay updated on America East news all year long.

Voting for the 2012 America East Men’s Lacrosse Fans’ Choice Player of the Year will go until 12 noon on Monday, April 30. The winners will be announced that afternoon via release at AmericaEast.com.

Bender has made a tremendous impact on the men’s lacrosse program during his time in a Hawks’ uniform, proving to be one of the program’s best scorers. An honorable mention All-American last season who earned preseason recognition this year, Bender leads a Hartford offense that ranks atop the America East in goals-per-game, points-per-game and assists-per-game with 45 points on 29 goals and 16 assists.

After netting the 100th goal of his career at Stony Brook on Saturday (April 21), Bender’s 101st career marker came in dramatic fashion as it came in overtime to lead Hartford to an 11-10 victory at LaValle Stadium. The loss, which was the first for the Seawolves in league play this season, also snapped a 17-game America East regular season winning streak.

With 159 career points, Bender currently ranks fifth in Hartford’s Division I history and currently sits sixth in the record books with 101 goals. A three-time America East All-Conference honoree, Bender is 11th among all active NCAA Division I men’s lacrosse players in career goals scored.