Cannizzaro, Marrocco BIG EAST Men’s Lacrosse Players of the Week
NEW YORK – Denver’s Connor Cannizzaro was named BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week after scoring the game-winning goal in an 12-11 victory on the road at then-No. 16/18 Villanova. Georgetown goalkeeper Nick Marrocco earned BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week honors with 14 saves holding Providence to five goals. The Hoyas snapped its six-game losing streak with an 8-5 win over the Friars.
Marquette also earned a W this weekend with an 11-7 victory over St. John’s.
In the latest USILA/Nike Divison I Men’s Lacrosse Coaches poll Denver (9-1, 2-0 BIG EAST) has moved up to No. 3, Villanova (6-4, 0-2 BIG EAST) moves down slightly to No. 18 and Marquette (8-1, 3-0 BIG EAST) holds steady at No. 19. The Pioneers are also No. 3 in the Inside Lacrosse media poll, with Marquette at No. 17 and Villanova at No. 19.
RPI-wise, Denver has moved up to No. 2. Villanova stays in the top 10 at No. 6 despite the loss.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Connor Cannizzaro, Denver, Jr. A
Cannizzaro scored the game-winning goal in BIG EAST top 20 match up this weekend between then-No. 4 Denver and then-No. 16/18 Villanova. The junior recorded his second career sock trick, including four goals in the second half to help the Pioneers to an 12-11 victory at Villanova, in the sleeting and snow conditions. Cannizzaro’s goal came in under three minutes to play as he scored off Trevor Baptiste’s face off win. Cannizzaro scored the only goals of the third period (3) putting Denver ahead 10-6 before the Wildcats rallied back to take an 11-10 lead.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Nick Marrocco, Georgetown, So., G
Marrocco made 14 saves and tied a career-low five goals allowed as Georgetown earned its first BIG EAST win of the season against Providence, who had been receiving votes in last week’s national media poll. Prior to Saturday’s game, Providence had been averaging 11.20 goals per game. Providence fired 29 shots his way in total.
BIG EAST Lacrosse Weekly Honor Roll
Alex Ready, Denver, Fr., G
Ready had a season-high 16 saves in horizontal snow conditions, including 11 in the second half, to help Denver to an 12-11 victory over then-No. 16/18 Villanova.
Eduardo White, Georgetown, Jr., M
Scored a hat trick in an 8-5 win over Providence, accounting for 37.5 percent of the Hoyas’ scoring.
Andy DeMichiei, Marquette, Jr., M
Had a league-best seven goals in an 11-7 win at St. John’s for the then-No. 19/17 Golden Eagles. DeMichiei broke Jordan Greenfield’s single-game program goal record. Helped Marquette respond to a 6-4 halftime deficit with a natural hat trick to give MU the lead for good with 11:13 left in the third.
Ryan McNamara, Marquette, Jr., M
Accounted for four points with two goals and two assist in Marquette’s 11-7 win over St. John’s.
Jack Curran, Villanova, Sr., M
Had four points in a 12-11 loss to then-No. 4 Denver. His four points came on three assists and a goal.