ITHACA, N.Y. – The Cornell men's lacrosse team took time during its alumni weekend to celebrate the past and look to the future, recognizing the team's annual award winners for the 2020 and 2021 seasons and announcing the team's captains for the 2022 campaign.
The trio of fifth year senior Joseph Bartolotto III, senior Chayse Ierlan, and fifth year senior John Piatelli will lead the Big Red in battle this year, serving as the 2022 team captains. Bartolotto and Piatelli return as captains for the second-straight season, while Ierlan steps into the role for the first time.
Bartolotto has served as one of the team's primary long stick midfielders since his sophomore campaign, playing in 13 games as a sophomore and all five games during the Big Red's abbreviated 2020 season. He ranked second for the Big Red in caused turnovers in 2020 with six, averaging 1.20 per game, a mark which ranked seventh in the Ivy League at the conclusion of the season. He collected 12 ground balls during his junior season in just five games, matching his career-high from 2019. Bartolotto had a career day in Cornell's season-opening victory over UAlbany on Feb. 15, 2020, scooping up a career-best four ground balls and causing a career-high four turnovers.
Ierlan has started in goal for the Big Red since his rookie campaign, finishing the 2019 season ranked 20th in the nation in save percentage (.537) and 21st in saves per game (12.15). He led the Ivy League in save percentage and ranked third in goals against average (11.44), earning Honorable Mention All-Ivy accolades at the conclusion of the season. Ierlan's performance as a freshman caught people's eyes throughout the season, as he was named the Ivy League Rookie of the Week on four occasions, the second most in Cornell history behind Christian Knight in 2014 and Matt Donovan in 2012. Ierlan recoded double-digit saves in every game in which he faced at least 10 shots in 2019, also notching 10 saves a piece in contests against UAlbany and High Point in 2020.
Piatelli has been an integral member of the Big Red attack since stepping foot on campus as a freshman, being named a 2020 Inside Lacrosse/Maverik Media Honorable Mention All-American as a junior. He also earned a spot on the Final Tewaaraton Watch List in 2020 before the season came to an abrupt end. Piatelli has led Cornell in goals in each of the last two seasons in which the Big Red has competed, finishing the 2019 campaign ranked in the top-25 in the nation in individual man-up goals (10th – 7), goals per game (13th – 3.00), shooting percentage (14th - .459), and points per game (22nd – 4.27). Through five games in 2020, he ranked fourth in all of Division I in goals per game (4.00). Piatelli scored his 100th career point during his junior season as part of a natural hat trick against High Point on Feb. 23, netting a career-high six goals against the Panthers.
In addition to naming the 2022 captains, Connor Buczek '15, the Richard M. Moran Head Coach of Men's Lacrosse, announced the team's annual award winners from both the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Each of the Big Red's honorees, along with the award's criteria, is listed below.
C.F. Morse Lacrosse Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Donated by the Morse family in memory of their father and given annually to the lacrosse player who combines best the physical attributes of the Spartan and the scholastic achievement of the Athenian.
2020 Winner: Sam Duggan '20
2021 Winner: Garrett Ruff
Rick LaFrance Trainer's Award
Given to the senior who has combined mental and physical toughness, along with humor and bravery, despite injury. The award is named for Rick LaFrance, a Cornell athletic trainer for 31 years.
2020 Winner: Ryan Maloney '20
2021 Winner: Andrew Barclay '21
Dave Friedlieb Memorial Award
Given in memory of Dave Friedlieb by the Cornell lacrosse community to the person or persons whose enthusiasm, assistance, interest and compassion for the Cornell lacrosse team is greatly appreciated.
2020 Winner: Jim Case
2021 Winner: Amara Pulver
Al "Junior" Kelz-Mike Herriott Award
This award was established and donated by the late R.L. Cullen in memory of "Junior" Kelz and Mike Herriott, who were killed while on a lacrosse scouting trip in 1965. It is awarded annually to the most outstanding senior player.
2020 Winner: Connor Fletcher '20
2021 Winner: Jonathan Donville '21
J.E.B. Sportsmanship Award
Donated by the late Professor O.F. Johndrew Jr. and given to the player who best combines the qualities of lacrosse ability, leadership, fairness, courteous relations and graceful acceptance of results on and off the playing field.
2021 Winner: Parker Henderer '21
Cornell Lacrosse Club Most Improved Player – Rookie of the Year
2020 Winner: Michael Long
Joe Philip Memorial Award – Offensive MVP
Given annually by the Lacrosse Club to the person contributing to the overall team effort, in grateful memory of Joe Philip, whose humor, inspiration and service to Cornell lacrosse will never be forgotten.
2020 Winner: John Piatelli
Lawrence Van Buren Woodworth Memorial Award – Defensive MVP
Given in memory by his friends to the player who most exemplifies competitive spirit and fair play. Larry was lacrosse team captain in 1950.
2020 Winner: Brandon Salvatore '20
Dr. Ray Van Orman Memorial Award – Team MVP
The Cornell Lacrosse Club Most Valuable Player Award was renamed the Dr. Ray Van Orman Memorial Award in 1984. The award, presented to the squad's MVP, is given in memory of Dr. Van Orman, an outstanding lacrosse coach at Cornell from 1940-49. It was instituted by John Bratten (Class of 1947), who served as a manager of the team under Van Orman.
2020 Winner: Jeff Teat '21
