Iona's Giordano, Canisius' VanLaeken & Monmouth's Ceraso Claim MAAC Women's Lacrosse Weekly Honors
MAAC Sports
Offensive Player of the Week
Pamela Giordano, Iona
Jr., A/M, Smithtown, NY/Smithtown West
Iona College junior Pamela Giordano recorded six goals on Wednesday, February 15, in a victory over defending NEC Champions Wagner College, 12-10. The junior recorded half of her team’s goals on 11 shots, grabbed two ground balls, and forced two turnovers. On Saturday, February 18, the Smithtown, NY native registered one shot and one ground ball in a defeat against Holy Cross.
Defensive Player of the Week
Rebecca VanLaeken, Canisius
Jr., GK, Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua Academy
In a 15-11 victory over the University of Oregon on Monday, February 13, Canisius College goalkeeper Rebecca VanLaeken made nine saves, added a team-high eight ground balls, and had one caused turnover. In the Griffs’ 18-6 loss to No. 5 Syracuse University, the goalkeeper made 14 saves and recorded two ground balls.
Rookie of the Week
Nicole Ceraso, Monmouth
Fr., A, Massapequa, NY/Plainedge
Monmouth University freshman Nicole Ceraso, led the Hawks in scoring against Temple University and Rutgers University. Ceraso posted 12 points, which included three goals in each contest against the Big East and B1G opponents. In Wednesday’s game against the Owls, the Massapequa, NY native had three goals and four assists for a total of seven points. In Saturday’s one-goal loss to in-state rival Rutgers, Ceraso scored three goals and assisted on two others. All nine of the shots Ceraso took over the week were on-goal, while the freshman committed just one turnover over the two games. She currently leads Monmouth in goals (10), assists (10) and points (20).