DENVER – The University of Denver men's lacrosse program had eight student-athletes recognized on the 2023 All-BIG EAST Teams, the conference office announced on Wednesday. Denver's eight All-BIG EAST selections were the most by any program in the conference.
 
All-BIG EAST Picks by Program:
Denver 8
Georgetown 7
Villanova 6
Marquette 4
Providence 3
 
A two-time All-BIG EAST Second Team selection, senior AJ Mercurio was the long-stick midfielder on Wednesday's All-BIG EAST First Team, coming up with five caused turnovers, 16 ground balls and three transition goals in 13 games this season, while leading Denver's 7^th-ranked scoring defense in the country. Mercurio is the 42^nd All-BIG EAST First Team selection and the 126^th all-conference first team selection overall in Bill Tierney's career. 
 
Denver put seven student-athletes on the BIG EAST Second Team. Faceoff specialist Alec Stathakis and wing man and LSM Malik Sparrow were named to the team, while poles Jack DiBenedetto and Jimmy Freehill rounded out Denver's defensive award winners. Offensive midfielder Michael Lampert and Stephen Avery earned spots with attackman JJ Sillstrop rounding out the seven Pioneers to make the list.
 
Stathakis earned his second All-BIG EAST award after earning first-team honors in 2021. Sparrow received second-team accolades for the second-consecutive season. DiBenedetto and Sillstrop got their second-straight BIG EAST recognition, while Freehill, Lampert and Avery all earned their first.
 
UP NEXT: [9/9] Denver will head right back to Milwaukee this weekend for the 2023 BIG EAST Men's Lacrosse Tournament, presented by Jeep. Faceoff on CBS Sports Network and 104.3 The Fan HD3 is set for 7:30 p.m. MT.
 
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