Feb. 14, 2017
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - For the second straight week, Penn State men's lacrosse took home half of the Big Ten's weekly awards, as the league office announced its honorees Tuesday afternoon. Freshman midfielder Gerard Arceri was named Big Ten Specialist of the Week, while freshman attackman Mac O'Keefe earned his second Freshman of the Week honor in as many weeks.
Arceri was tabbed the Specialist of the Week following another impressive performance at the faceoff "x". The rookie went 22-of-31 on faceoffs while collecting a team-best 10 groundballs in Penn State's most recent win over Hobart.
Arceri has been among the nation's best at the faceoff "x" through the first two weeks of play. His .705 faceoff win percentage is the best in the Big Ten and ranks sixth in the country. He also leads the league in groundballs per game (11.50), a mark good for third nationally.
The award marked the first Big Ten honor of Arceri's collegiate career.
O'Keefe repeated as the Big Ten Freshman of the Week, matching his point output from his collegiate debut. The Syosset, New York, native, logged seven points on four goals and three assists in Penn State's 21-15 victory last Saturday.
O'Keefe continues to be among the nation's elite statistically in the early going this season. With 11 goals in his first two outings, O'Keefe's 5.50 goals lead the country. Averaging 7.00 points per game the rookie also leads the Big Ten in points per game so far and ranks third nationally.
O'Keefe earns his third Big Ten weekly honor after taking home Freshman of the Week and Offensive Player of the Week last Wednesday.
Arceri, O'Keefe, and the rest of the Nittany Lions will host Cornell on Saturday, Feb. 18 at noon at the Penn State Lacrosse Field. Admission to the event is free.
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