April 9, 2012
BIG EAST Release Week 8
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Villanova sophomore John LoCascio (Fairfield, N.J.) has been named the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week as announced by the conference office Monday afternoon.
Syracuse's Tommy Palasek earned BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week accolades for the eighth week of conference awards.
LoCascio earns Defensive Player of the Week honors after posting 11 ground balls and five caused turnovers in Villanova's wins over Georgetown and Rutgers. The sophomore long-stick midfielder helped the Villanova defense limit opponents to 16 goals last week, grabbing four ground balls and one caused turnovers in a 15-7 win over Georgetown. Against Rutgers, LoCascio picked up seven ground balls and four caused turnovers in the 14-9 victory. For the season, LoCascio has grabbed 47 ground balls and 17 caused turnovers through Villanova's 11 games. This is the first conference honor in LoCascio's career.
The Wildcats also jumped to No. 12 in the USILA Coaches Poll and No. 15 Nike/Inside Lacrosse Media Poll Monday morning after picking up two wins the previous week.
Villanova will host St. John's this coming Saturday in Villanova Stadium. Game time is slated for 4 p.m.
HONOR ROLL
Westy Hopkins, Notre Dame, So., A
Michael Diehl, Rutgers, Sr., M
Jeff Lowman, St. John's, Jr. GK
Kieran McArdle, St. John's So., A
Kevin Drew, Syracuse, Sr., M.
