DENVER – The University of Denver men’s lacrosse program has signed Maryland transfer and reining ACC Freshman of the Year Connor Cannizzaro (Cazenovia, N.Y.) to its 2015 roster, head coach Bill Tierney announced on Tuesday.
“We are obviously thrilled to have Connor Cannizzaro join our Denver Pioneer lacrosse program,” Tierney said. “His lacrosse and athletic abilities speak for themselves as witnessed by his selection as the ACC Rookie of the Year this past season. More importantly, Connor’s arrival ensures that we will have the Cannizzaro family be a part of the DU Lacrosse family for three more years. Connor’s brother Sean has been instrumental to our recent success and enters his senior year this fall. The opportunity for Sean and Connor to play together once more reunites a tandem that took Cazenovia High School to the New York State Championship in 2011.”
Cannizzaro started all 17 games for the Terrapins a season ago, tallying 34 points on 26 goals and eight assists. The Cazenovia, N.Y., native recorded four hat tricks in 2014, including one in a 16-8 win at then-No. 2 Syracuse. The 2014 ACC Freshman of the Year turned in 10 multi-point games and nine multi-goal games, including a season-high five-point outing against Bryant in the NCAA Quarterfinals.
Brother of Pioneer senior midfielder Sean Cannizzaro, Connor Cannizzaro was a 2013 Under Armour High School All-American, and a two-time U.S. Lacrosse High School All-American. The Cannizzaro duo teamed up for a state title in Sean’s senior year of high school with the Cazenovia Lakers, and Connor and Sean’s sister Kara was a Tewaaraton Award finalist and National Champion at North Carolina in 2013.
Cannizzaro is set to join a Denver program that has reached Championship Weekend three times in the last four years. The 2014 campaign saw Denver finish 16-3, and a perfect 6-0 in its first season in the BIG EAST, winning both the regular season and tournament titles. After a 3-2 start, the Pioneers reeled off 13 in a row, with NCAA Tournament wins over No. 9 North Carolina (9-5) and No. 12 Drexel (15-6) to earn a trip to Baltimore.
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