Richmond, Va. (Mar. 3, 2025) – The CAA has announced its men's lacrosse weekly award winners for the week ending March 2, recognizing standout performances from several athletes. Leading the pack is Drexel senior attacker Max Semple, who has taken the league by storm.
Semple, hailing from Coquitlam, B.C., had an impressive 10-goal week, securing his place as the Offensive Player of the Week. Drexel posted a flawless record of 2-0, with Semple netting four goals during the Dragons' dominant 17-5 victory over NJIT. Semple continued his scoring spree by finding the back of the net six times against Mercer, helping his team to another decisive win at 21-6. "Semple had a 10-goal week as the Dragons posted a 2-0 record," according to the CAA press release. With 14 goals this season, Semple currently ranks second across the CAA.
Joining Semple as standouts from this week are two goalies, Owen Hirsch from Fairfield and Kevin Ellington from Delaware, both who earned the Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors. Hirsch turned heads during the Stags' 15-7 victory over Providence on March 1, where he made 14 saves, including eight during the first quarter. This performance helped Fairfield to establish an early lead. Hirsch now boasts the second-best goals against average within the CAA, sitting at 7.23 through five games. The performance was encapsulated perfectly when it was noted, "Hirsch was impressive... made 14 saves on the day," reflecting his significant role against Providence.
Meanwhile, Kevin Ellington also showcased his mettle as he contributed to Delaware's 11-6 win over High Point. Over 65 minutes of play, Ellington turned away 14 shots. His current standings place him within the top five for both save percentage and saves per game across the conference. "Ellington recorded 14 saves in the Blue Hens’ 11-6 victory," emphasizes the CAA announcement, signifying his impact on the field.
Rookie standouts also shone brightly this week. Ronan Fitzpatrick of Towson is another name to watch, garnering Co-Rookie of the Week honors. Fitzpatrick posted season highs with four goals and three assists during Towson's 17-10 win over UMBC. This performance helped set new personal bests, contributing to his impressive season tally of 13 goals over four games, leading the league with 4.25 points per game. The CAA reported, "Fitzpatrick posted season-highs across the board... set his season-best," which highlights his prolific influence on the field.
Lastly, Stony Brook's Brendan Marino captured Co-Rookie of the Week recognition as well. This week marked Marino's debut as he made his first collegiate start. He began by contributing to the Seawolves' 11-7 win over Iona, where he netted one goal and provided one assist. He then excelled against Manhattan, scoring four goals and adding another assist to his tally. He was described by the CAA as having "bookmarked his first collegiate start with a five-point performance," emphasizing his quick adaptation to collegiate lacrosse.
Each of these athletes has not only contributed to their team's success but also solidified their positions as promising signs for the future of the CAA's lacrosse season. Overall, the combination of strong offensive and defensive performances highlighted this past week demonstrates the depth of talent within collegiate lacrosse, making each game more exciting and intense.