Tewaaraton Runs Deep in Cantiague Summer League
South Huntington, NY – For more than four decades, the Cantiague Summer Lacrosse League has served as one of the premier proving grounds for elite lacrosse talent. Every summer at Cantiague Park in Hicksville, the game’s future stars sharpen their skills, compete against top-tier talent, and continue the proud tradition that has made the league the premier summer program in the country.
The numbers speak for themselves.
Since the league’s inception, six players who suited up in the Cantiague Summer League (now Long Island Metro Lacrosse Leagues – LIMLL) have gone on to capture the prestigious Tewaaraton Award — college lacrosse’s highest individual honor, awarded annually to the top player in the nation.
“That’s what makes this league so special,” said LIMLL President/Owner Brendan Wallace. “We’re not just about competition. We’re about development, character, and giving players the opportunity to hone their craft before heading back to their respective college programs.”
The list of winners reflects the incredible level of talent that has come through LIMLL over the years:
- Doug Shanahan — 2001 Hofstra University
A dominant midfielder with unmatched vision and scoring touch, Shanahan was a standout lacrosse and football student-athlete at Hofstra and the inaugural winner of the Tewaaraton Trophy. Shanahan scored 95 goals and 44 assists during his career in Hempstead. He was drafted first overall in the 2002 Major League Lacrosse Supplemental Draft by the Bridgeport Barrage and played with the team through the 2005 season, helping the Barrage win the 2004 MLL Championship after the franchise relocated to Philadelphia. Shanahan also played for the New York Saints of the National Lacrosse League during the 2002 season. - Matt Danowski — 2007 Duke University
A fierce competitor and clutch performer, Danowski was a three-time first-team All-American pick and two-time recipient of the USILA’s Lt. Raymond J. Enners Award as the nation’s top player during a career in which he concluded as the NCAA’s all-time leader in scoring with 353 points on 170 goals and 183 assists. He led the Blue Devils three times to the Final Four and the 2007 national championship game. Dawnowski was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2008 Major League Lacrosse Draft by the New Jersey Pride. Additionally, he played for the Long Island Lizards, Charlotte Hounds, and Chesapeake Bayhawks, the NLL Colorado Mammoth, Rochester Knighthawks, and Philadelphia Wings. Danowski played one season with Chrome LC of the Premier Lacrosse League before retiring in 2021. - Max Seibald — 2009 Cornell University
Seibald is widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders in college lacrosse history, starring at Cornell Big Red men’s lacrosse where he became the program’s first-ever Tewaaraton Award winner in 2009. A four-time All-American and four-time First Team All-Ivy League selection, Seibald finished his Cornell career with 141 points, the most ever by a Big Red midfielder at the time, while also earning the USILA Enners Award as Division I Player of the Year and the McLaughlin Award as the nation’s top midfielder. Professionally, he enjoyed a standout decade-long career in Major League Lacrosse as a five-time MLL All-Star, team captain, and one of the league’s all-time leaders in two-point goals, while also competing in the National Lacrosse League and representing Team USA internationally. - Rob Pannell — 2013 Cornell University
Pannell dominated the collegiate game with his elite vision, scoring, and playmaking ability. He helped define an era in Ithaca. Pannell became just the fourth Cornell player ever to be named a four-time All-American. In his final season, his 102 points were the most ever for a Tewaaraton Award winner. He finished his career as the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer at the time with 354 career points. The Long Island Lizards selected him with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2012 MLL Collegiate Draft. He was named the MLL Rookie of the Year in 2013. In 2015, the Lizards won the MLL Championship and Panell led the league in scoring with 68 Points (38 Goals, 30 Assists). On the International Level, Pannell has represented Team USA in the World Lacrosse Championships (2014, 2018, 2023) and was named to the All-World teams in 2014 and 2018. He has played for the PLL’s New York Atlas, California Redwoods, and has been a member of the Maryland Whipsnakes since 2024. - Dylan Molloy — 2016 Brown University
Molloy was one of the most electrifying offensive players of his era at Brown University with his elite dodging ability, toughness, and creativity on offense. A two-time Ivy League Player of the Year and three-time All-American, Molloy finished his Brown career among the program’s all-time leaders in goals, assists, and points (318), while leading the Bears to two straight NCAA tournaments, including the Final Four in 2016. Molloy was the first overall pick in the 2017 MLL Draft by the Florida Launch. He spent time with the Long Island Lizards and the Buffalo Bandits and Colorado Mommath of the NLL. Molloy is a current member of the California Redwoods of the PLL. - Brennan O’Neill — 2023 Duke University
O’Neill has established himself as one of the most accomplished lacrosse players of his generation, starring at Duke University where he led the Blue Devils with 97 points (55 goals, 42) during his 2023 Tewaaraton campaign. He was a multi-time All-American, ACC Offensive Player of the Year, and a finalist for numerous national honors while finishing his Duke career with more than 300 career points. Internationally, he helped Team USA capture the 2023 World Lacrosse Championship gold medal and earned tournament MVP honors after a dominant performance. O’Neill was also selected first overall in both the Premier Lacrosse League (Denver Outlaws) and National Lacrosse League (Philadelphia Wings) drafts, cementing his reputation as one of the sport’s premier talents.
From dominant attackmen to dynamic midfielders, each player brought a unique style to the field, but they all shared one thing in common — summers competing in the highly competitive environment of LIMLL.
The Cantiague Summer League has long been known as a place where players elevate their game. College standouts, future professionals, and top high school prospects all gather each summer to compete against the best. The fast-paced atmosphere and high-level matchups have helped mold generations of lacrosse talent from Long Island and beyond.
What makes the achievement even more impressive is the consistency. Across multiple eras of college lacrosse, LIMLL has remained a destination for elite players. From Shanahan’s dominance in the early 2000s to O’Neill’s modern-day power and precision, the league has continued to attract the game’s brightest stars.
Beyond the accolades, the legacy of these Tewaaraton winners reinforces what the league has represented for 46 years: excellence, competition, and a deep connection to the sport’s growth on Long Island.
As another summer begins at Cantiague, the next generation of players will take the field hoping to leave their mark. And if history has shown anything, there’s a good chance another future Tewaaraton winner is already playing under the lights of the LIMLL.