Pontrello scored a career-high six goals in UNC’s first win in Durham in six years on Friday.
Every week during the regular season, we’ll award an NCAA.com Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week for Division I men’s lacrosse.
Offensive Player of the Week
Steve Pontrello | North Carolina | Sr. | A | Marlton, New Jersey
The Tar Heel attackman scored a career-high six goals in North Carolina’s 17-16 overtime win Friday at then-No. 11 Duke.
It was UNC’s first win at Duke in six years.
The efficient Pontrello took only seven shots on goal and scored five unassisted. His efforts helped North Carolina rally from a three-goal deficit late in the third quarter and then forge ahead in the final period.
No. 11 North Carolina hosts No. 20 Virginia on Sunday, April 10.
Here's your game-winner! Patrick Kelly's goal in OT gives @uncmenslacrosse a 17-16 W at Duke with an #SCTop10 play. https://t.co/7E9vXtQAYY
— GoHeelsTV (@GoHeelsTV) April 2, 2016
Defensive Player of the Week
Cole Blazer | Marquette | So. | G | Libertyville, Illinois
Blazer shut down Villanova’s high-scoring offense in his first collegiate start, leading the Golden Eagles to an 11-3 victory Saturday.
Blazer made 13 saves and stifled the then-No. 6 Wildcats, who among the nation’s scoring leaders averaging more than 14 goals per game. Blazer recorded a save percentage of .813 on the day and faced a total of 31 Villanova shots. The Libertyville, Illinois native saved three shots off the stick of the nation's leading scorer Jake Froccaro to hold the junior without a goal for the first time this season.
Marquette travels to St. John’s for its next content Saturday, April 9.
Movin' up. Golden Eagles pick up votes to move back into @USILA_Lax and @Inside_Lacrosse polls. Also ninth in RPI. pic.twitter.com/8DYASqi7UG
— Marquette Lacrosse (@MarquetteMLax) April 4, 2016
Honorable mentions: Matt Barrett, Virginia (defense); Dean DiSimone, Delaware (offense); Christian Klipstein, Bucknell (defense); Ryan McNamara, Marquette (offense); Dylan Molloy, Brown (offense); Blaze Riorden, Albany (defense); Pat Spencer, Loyola (offense); Alex Spring, Bucknell (defense); Michael Zingaro, Manhattan (defense).
