ROSEMONT, Ill.- Penn State men’s lacrosse’s Hunter Aquino and Alex Ross were tabbed to the Big Ten weekly award slate. Aquino was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week for the second consecutive week and third time this season while Ross is the Defensive Player of the Week for the second time in his career and first of the 2025 campaign. Both were instrumental in Penn State’s upset victory over no. 3 Cornell in overtime on Saturday, March 8.
Freshman midfielder Aquino played a key role in the offensive success over the final minutes of regulation and into extra time in the thriller at Cornell. He totaled five points, accumulating from one goal and four assists. His final two assists came on the game-tying goal in the fourth quarter and the game-winning goal in overtime. Aquino’s pass to Jack Aimone to tie the game came with :16 left on the clock as the final goal of a 4-0 Penn State run over the course of two and a half minutes. He also assisted Ethan Long on the game-winner in the third minute of the overtime period. The Pennsylvania native ranks second in the conference in assists per game (2.17), second in shot percentage (.435) and second in points per game (3.83).
Senior defenseman Ross tallied his first career goal in PSU’s victory on Saturday, his laser, long pole shot from midfield of Penn State’s offensive half stunned the Big Red keeper. He also caused two turnovers and secured one ground ball on the defensive end. Ross is second in the B1G and 12th nationally in caused turnovers per game (2.17)
The Nittany Lions are set to face Robert Morris next on Wednesday, March 12. Game time is slated for 4 p.m. in Happy Valley.