Detroit Mercy’s Vangalen and Marist’s Smith & Pirreca Collect MAAC Men’s Lacrosse Weekly Honors
Offensive Player of the Week
Matthew Vangalen, Detroit Mercy
Sr., Orangeville, Ont./Hill Academy
The senior leader on the Titan offense tallied a season-high nine points on three goals - including the game winner with 10 seconds left - and a school-record six assists in the road win at Bellarmine. It was his 12th career hat trick and the last came as the Titans erased a 4-1 first half and 9-5 second half deficit to beat the Knights, 15-14, as he fired a laser past the goalie with 10 seconds remaining. He scored two goals with a helper in the first half, but was on fire in the second helping set up the Titan offense with five assists before recording the game winner.
Defensive Player of the Week
Peyton Smith, Marist
Jr., Raleigh, NC/Athens Drive
Smith had a fantastic day at the face-off position and was the driving force behind Marist going 2-0 on the week. He won 27-of-31 face-offs against Hartford and picked up 14 ground balls, all career highs. The 27 face-offs wins is tied for second most in a game in the NCAA this season and his .871 win percentage is seventh of a game this season. He also added a goal to tie up the game against Hartford. After his incredible week, Smith is tied for first in the country in face-off win percentage at .744
Rookie of the Week
Jojo Pirreca, Marist
Fr., Mount Sinai, NY/Mount Sinai
Pirecca fueled the offense in a 2-0 week for Marist, finishing with seven points. He had his first hat trick of the season against Stony Brook.
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:
With 11 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) is in its 38
th year of competition during the 2018-19 academic year. Current Conference members include: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter’s University, and Siena College.