CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – Virginia graduate attackman Payton Cormier earned Atlantic Coast Conference Men’s Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week honors for the second time this season, while Syracuse defenseman Billy Dwan was named ACC Defensive Player of the Week.
Cormier totaled 11 goals in UVA’s wins over UAlbany and Drexel. A native of Oakville, Ontario, Cormier tallied five goals in the Hoos’ midweek win over UAlbany and followed up that performance with a six-goal effort against Drexel on Saturday. His six goals against the Dragons propelled him into the top 10 of the NCAA Division-I career goals list. Cormier, who now has 195 career goals, is tied for eighth in Division I history and in sole possession of fourth on the ACC’s career goals list. Cormier is the only ACC player this season to record three games with five goals or more.
Dwan helped the Orange to a 2-0 week, including a top-five win at home over No. 3 Duke, 10-4, on Wednesday. The native of Lutherville, Maryland, helped limit reigning Tewaaraton Trophy winner Brennan O'Neill of Duke to one goal on 11 shots, only three of which were on goal. Dwan backed a defense that held Duke off the board for over 24 minutes, while also limiting the No. 1 scoring offense in Division I to just four goals. Duke, which had the nation's second-best shooting percentage entering Wednesday, shot just 11 percent in the game. On Saturday, Syracuse overcame a slow start, holding Hobart to just two goals in the second half, including a shutout fourth quarter. Dwan accounted for three caused turnovers at Hobart and collected four ground balls on the week. Dwan added a pair of transition goals this week as well, striking twice at Hobart on Saturday.
Four ACC teams are ranked in the top five of the latest USILA poll, highlighted by Notre Dame returning to No. 1. Virginia moved up to No. 2, while Syracuse earned its highest ranking of the season at No. 3. Duke is No. 5 in the poll.
Duke entertains No. 18 Boston University at 3 p.m. Wednesday in the lone midweek game on the ACC schedule this week. The weekend slate features a trio of intriguing matchups, including an ACC showdown between No. 1 Notre Dame and No. 3 Syracuse at 2 p.m. Saturday on ACC Network. In non-league action Saturday, Virginia travels to No. 16 Harvard at noon and North Carolina plays host to No. 6 Army at noon.
2024 ACC Men’s Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week
Feb. 6 – Josh Zawada, Gr., A, Duke
Feb. 13 – Joey Spallina, So., A, Syracuse
Feb. 20 – Pat Kavanagh, Gr., A, Notre Dame; Payton Cormier, Gr., A, Virginia
Feb. 27 – Brennan O’Neill, Sr., A, Duke
March 5 – Josh Zawada, Gr., A, Duke; Devon McLane, Gr., M, Notre Dame
March 12 – Jake Stevens, 5th, M, Syracuse
March 19 – Jake Taylor, Gr., A, Notre Dame
March 26 – Payton Cormier, Gr., A, Virginia
2024 ACC Men’s Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week
Feb. 6 – Jake Naso, Sr., FO, Duke
Feb. 13 – Mason Kohn, 5th, FO, Syracuse
Feb. 20 – Ben Wayer, Jr., LSM, Virginia
Feb. 27 – Matthew Nunes, Jr., G, Virginia
March 5 – Marco Napolitano, Gr., D, Notre Dame
March 12 – Saam Oleko, Sr., LSM, Syracuse
March 19 – Will Mark, Gr., G, Syracuse
March 26 – Billy Dwan, So., D, Syracuse