Christian Cuccinello, Villanova
Cuccinello, Mayle, Gaines And Masessa Earn First #BIGEASTmlax Awards Of 2018
BIG EAST Attack Player of the Week
Christian Cuccinello, Villanova, Sr., Attack (Mountain Lakes, N.J.)
The senior attackman scored five goals, tying a career high, in Villanova's season-opening 17-16 overtime win over then-No. 12 Penn State. Cuccinello also picked up four ground balls in the win. Two of Cuccinello's five goals came in the fourth period as Villanova went on a five-goal scoring run to take a 16-15 lead. His five goals came off just seven shots on goal. Cuccinello played the full 64 minutes.
BIG EAST Midfielder of the Week
Sean Mayle, Denver, Sr. LSM (San Carlos, Calif.)
Senior LSM Sean Mayle helped lead a defensive midfield that allowed just five goals and 14 shots on goal in Denver's season-opening win over then-No. 17 Air Force. Mayle also picked up three ground balls in the victory and added a goal in the second period to help fourth-ranked Denver take a 5-0 lead over their in-state rival. Denver won 11-5.
BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week
Dylan Gaines, Denver, Jr., Defender (Baltimore, Md.)
Pioneer senior Dylan Gaines anchored a defensive unit that held then-No. 17 Air Force to just five goals and 14 shots on goal as fourth-ranked Denver toppled the Falcons, 11-5 on the road. Gaines picked up six ground balls and caused two turnovers in the victory. The six ground balls was a career high. He also scored the first goal of the season for Denver, at 14:32 in the first period.
BIG EAST Freshman of the Week
Zach Masessa, Providence, Fr., LSM (Montgomery, N.J.)
Friar Freshman Zach Masessa picked up two ground balls in the close 12-11 overtime loss to then-No. 20 Boston University and scored a goal in Providence's 9-6 victory over Holy Cross. Masessa's goal was the game-tying goal with 6:15 remaining in the second period. Masessa's goal evened the score at 3-3 after Holy Cross had taken it only lead of the game, 3-2.
BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll
Austin French, Denver, Jr., Attack (Danville, Calif.)
Had five points on three goals, two assists and picked up a ground ball in Denver's 11-5 road victory over then-No. 17 Air Force.
Nick Hatzipetrakos, Providence, Jr., Attack (Syosett, N.Y.)
Scored six goals in a 1-1 start to the Friars' season. Five of his goals came in the 9-6 victory over Holy Cross.
James Barclay, Providence, Sr., Defense (Toronto, Onotario)
Barclay picked up four ground balls and added an assist and two caused turnovers in the 9-6 win over Holy Cross. In the season opening loss to then-No. 20 Boston University, he added two ground balls and one caused turnover.
Jason DeBenedictis, St. John's, Sr., Attack (Holbrook, N.Y.)
DeBenedictis scored a pair of goals and added two assists in the Red Storm's 12-8 loss at then-No. 7/8 Rutgers on Saturday.
TJ Comizio, Villanova, Jr., Midfield (Basking Ridge, N.J.)
Comizio, a defensive midfielder, had nine ground balls and two caused turnovers during the 17-16 overtime win at then-No. 12 Penn State.