America East Daily Word - March 22

It’s a youth movement in America East men’s lacrosse this season.

Inside Lacrosse has seen it as well, and three freshmen find themselves ranked among the top 25 freshmen in the country as we hit the midway point of the 2012 campaign.

Checking at No. 21, the highest ranked America East rookie, is Hartford’s Kevin O’Shea. The rookie has scored 13 goals, dished out five assists and picked up 13 ground balls in his first seven games as a Hawk. For his efforts, O’Shea has collected Rookie of the Week honors three times this season.

Right behind O’Shea at No. 22 is Stony Brook’s Mike Rooney. A red-shirt freshman, Rooney leads the Seawolves with 11 goals this season and ranks third in points with 13. He has also handed out two helpers in seven games.

Rounding out the America East pack is Albany’s Lyle Thompson at No. 24. Thompson entered the season as one of the top rookies in the country and has played like it so far. To go along with his six goals, Thompson has 9 assists and 19 ground balls from his middie position.

Inside Lacrosse has the full list, here.

In women’s lacrosse news, The Tewaaraton Foundation has announced the first additions to the Tewaaraton Award Watch Lists. Included in those additions is Stony Brook’s Demmianne Cook. The Adelphi transfer ranks second in the nation in goals per game (4.14) and her 29 total goals ranks fifth in the country and first in the America East. Check out the full release.

Entering Wednesday’s contest with No. 17 UMass, the Albany women’s lacrosse team boasted a 13-game home winning streak. The Minutewomen snapped that streak with a 12-11 overtime win and as we learn from the Times Union, it’s a transition period for the Danes.

Elsewhere in women’s action yesterday, the Boston U. women extended their win streak to three games with a win over Yale. Vermont continued its hot early-season play, defeating Quinnipiac on the road to give head coach Jen Johnson her 50^th career win. Binghamton also picked up a win over Colgate. Check out recaps of all three games from the Daily Free Press, Burlington Free Press and Press and Sun Bulletin.

The weather outside has certainly made life grand for baseball and softball teams throughout the conference. Maine takes a 6-11 record to Providence today for a game with Brown while Boston U. hosts Boston College. The Bangor Daily News has a preview of the Brown game as well as two feature pieces in today’s paper. After a rough weekend at the Strikeout Cancer Tournament at Seton Hall, Maine baseball changed some things up this week at practice and freshman pitcher Luke Morrill has had himself a stellar rookie season so far.

For all of the latest from around the conference, check out AmericaEast.com.