The Ocean City Barons have announced their award winners for the 2008 season. Adam Sternberger was selected as the most valuable player, Byron Carmichael was the team’s offensive player of the year, and Joe Ilett was named as the top defensive player. The honors were determined by the Barons coaching staff.
 

Sternberger did not begin his fourth season with the club until the third game at the Long Island. From that time, the recent Rutgers University graduate played in 13 games, totaling 1,091 minutes and scored his lone goal of the season --a penalty kick-- on June 29 at home against the Westchester Flames. He worked tirelessly in the midfield game in and game out, helping to link between the backline and the forwards and creating scoring chances for Ocean City. He finishes the season ranked seventh in Barons history in goals (9), points (20) and minutes played (3,088).

"Adam was a last minute addition to the roster before the start of the season," said Barons general manager Neil Holloway. "We were unsure if he would continue to play since he graduated from Rutgers in May, but we can safely say that we were more than pleased that he decided to play because he was our star performer this summer. He has played for us for four seasons during his collegiate career and performed well, but this was his best summer yet."

Carmichael capped off the 2008 season, his fifth with the Barons, with a milestone. In the final game of the season, and what would prove to be the final goal of the year, he provided an assist to Lee Squires who scored against the New Jersey Rangers to help them win 2-0. That assist gave him an even 100 points for his Barons career, and also made him the team’s leading scorer for the second year in a row.

“Byron was once again one of our top scorers,” said Holloway. “He stepped up when we needed him to in some big games, and it was great to see him reach his 100th point on the final day of the season.”

Ilett’s first season at the boardwalk was a memorable one as he was recognized as the club’s top defender. The Eckerd College (St. Petersburg, FL) senior excelled in a defensive midfielder role for the Barons, playing in every single game and finishing second on the team in minutes played with 1,276. The Maldon, England native -- one of four Englishmen on the roster in 2008 -- also dished out two assists this year, both of them against the New Jersey Rangers (May 14 & June 13).

“Joe was one of our most consistent performers this season,” said Holloway. “He was a positive addition to our team and deserves to be honored for all of his hard work and unselfish play.”