Penn State and Rutgers Garner Lacrosse Player Awards

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference has announced its men’s lacrosse player awards for games played March 5-10.

Offensive Player of the Week

Matt Traynor, Penn State

Jr. – M — Downington, Pa. — Malvern Prep

• Compiled a career-high seven goals and eight points in Penn State’s 20-9 win over No. 8 Cornell Saturday in University Park, Pa.

• Launched 15 total shots, placing 11 on net, collected three ground balls and forced a turnover

• Notched his team-best 23rd goal, which ranks second among Big Ten players

• The All-Big Ten Second Team selection earns the second Big Ten Offensive POW award of his career

• Last Penn State Offensive Player of the Week: TJ Malone (March 5, 2024)

Defensive Player of the Week

Sam Sweeney, Penn State

Gr. – LSM — Edgewater, Md. — Gonzaga College

• Anchored a Nittany Lion defense that held Cornell to nine goals, the Big Red’s lowest total since April 8, 2023

• Cornell scored once in the opening 25 minutes as No. 10 Penn State built a 10-1 lead at Panzer Stadium

• Sweeney forced a turnover, one of nine in the game caused by PSU, and finished with three ground balls

• The two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection earns his first weekly honor

• Last Penn State Defensive Player of the Week: Alex Ross (Feb. 27, 2024)

Specialist of the Week

Jack Fracyon, Penn State

Jr. – G — Annapolis, Md. — Bullis School

• Recorded 14 saves and held Cornell to eight goals, his fewest allowed against a ranked opponent this season

• Surrendered one goal in the first period, allowing Penn State to build a 6-1 lead after 15 minutes.

• Notched his fifth win of the season and dropped his goal-against average to 9.80, second-lowest among conference goalies

• The 2023 Big Ten Specialist of the Year garners his third career Specialist of the Week honor and second in as many weeks

• Last Penn State Specialist of the Week: Jack Fracyon (March 5, 2024)

Freshman of the Week

Colin Kurdyla, Rutgers

Fr. – M — Bridgewater, N.J. — Bridgewater-Raritan HS

• Compiled three goals and four points on the week as No. 16 Rutgers split against Detroit Mercy and No. 14 Princeton

• Scored two unassisted goals against Princeton on Sunday, extending his goal-scoring streak to six games

• Stands third in goals (11) and fourth in team scoring (14 points) for the Scarlet Knights

• Captures the Big Ten Freshman award for the second consecutive week

• Last Rutgers Freshman recipient: Colin Kurdyla (March 5, 2024)

2024 Big Ten Men’s Lacrosse Weekly Awards

Feb. 6

O: Gannon Matthews, Jr., A, OSU

D: Connor Cmiel, Sr., M, OSU

S: Luke Wierman, Gr., FO, MD

F: Cardin Stoller, Fr., G, RU

Feb. 13

O: Matt Traynor, Jr., M, PSU

D: Scott Smith, Sr., D, JHU

S: Logan Callahan, Jr., FO, JHU

F: Kyle Lehman, Fr., A, PSU

Feb. 20

O: Michael Boehm, Sr., A, MICH

D: Ajax Zappitello, Sr., D, MD

S: Logan McNaney, Gr., G, MD

F: Caleb Fyock, Fr., G, OSU

Feb. 27

O: Eric Spanos, Jr., M, MD

D: Alex Ross, So., D, PSU

S: Luke Wierman, Gr., FO, MD

F: Cardin Stoller, Fr., G, RU

March 5

O: TJ Malone, Gr., A, PSU

D: Beaudan Szuluk, Gr., D, JHU

S: Jack Fracyon, Jr., G, PSU

F: Colin Kurdyla, Fr., M, RU

March 12

O: Matt Traynor, Jr., M, PSU

D: Sam Sweeney, Gr., LSM, PSU

S: Jack Fracyon, Jr., G, PSU

F: Colin Kurdyla, Fr., M, RU