The United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association released its 2024 Division I Blatant Lacrosse Team of the Week accolades on Wednesday, April 17. Players earned recognition from the organization as they each posted exceptional performances in their programs games this past week.
The list of honorees are as follows:
1. Walter Zhao, Faceoff, Millstone, N.J., Freshman, Vermont
Zhao won 15 of his 23 attempts at the X and collected eight ground balls in the Catamounts’ 16-12 victory over Bryant. He went up against Nathan LaLiberte, who came into the contest ranked first in the country in faceoff percentage and ground balls. Zhao also scored his first career goal.
2. Jake Piseno, Long Stick Midfield, Liverpool, N.Y., Grad., UAlbany
Piseno grabbed five ground balls and logged three caused turnovers in a 14-9 win against NJIT. He added one goal for his ninth of the season and fourth in the last three games.
3. Sean Byrne, Goalkeeper, Acworth, Ga., Sophomore, Army
Byrne tied his career-high with 19 stops for a .704 save percentage in Army’s 13-8 win over rival Navy. The 19 saves were the most by a Black Knight goalkeeper against the Mids since 1985.
4. Matt Brandau, Attack, Timonium, Md., Senior, Yale
Brandau became Yale’s all-time leader in career points and assists. He produced 20 points on seven goals and 13 assists across two wins versus Boston University and Dartmouth. He had three goals and eight assists for 11 points against Boston, then produced four goals and five assists for nine points against Dartmouth.
5. Liam Ferris, Midfield, Glenmont, N.Y., Senior, Binghamton
Ferris scored a career-high four goals and dished out two assists in a 21-10 triumph against UMBC. He has scored four goals in each of his last two games. His performance earned him the America East Offensive Player of the Week.
6. Josh Zawada, Attack, Raleigh, N.C., Grad., Duke
Zawada scored a season-high five goals and added one assist to headline a productive Duke offence that took down Virginia, 18-12. Coming into the game, Virginia allowed an average of 9.73 goals per game.
7. Kenny Brower, Defense, Massapequa, N.Y., Grad., Duke
Bowser created four caused turnovers and led the Blue Devil defense that allowed just 12 Virginia goals on .267 percent shooting. Coming into the affair, the Cavaliers were fifth in the country in scoring offense with 15.2 goals per game.
8. Jake Edinger, Short Stick Defensive Midfield, Tully, N.Y., Grad., Denver
Edinger helped the Denver defense hold Georgetown to a season-low for goals in a 10-8 victory. He also tallied two goals in the outing for his first multi-goal performance of his career.
9. Logan McNaney, Goalkeeper, Corning, N.Y., Grad., Maryland
McNaney made a season-best 15 saves for a .714 save percentage as the Terrapins went on to beat Rutgers, 11-6. Maryland surrendered just two second-half goals and McNaney made five stops in the final 15 minutes. He had a game-leading seven ground balls, which tied his career-high.
10. CJ Kirst, Attack, Bernardsville, N.J., Senior, Cornell
Kirst tallied eight points on five goals and three assists in an 18-17 loss to top-ranked Notre Dame. He led the Big Red offense that tied the most goals Notre Dame has allowed since 2004. The Fighting Irish allowed an average of 9.25 goals per game coming into the contest.