DeMeo, Cronin garner pair of NEC weekly accolades

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Following gutsy performances on both ends of the field, the Bryant University women's lacrosse duo of Jess DeMeo (Mount Sinai, N.Y.) and Carly Cronin (Feeding Hills, Mass.) have been tabbed as Northeast Conference Player and Defensive Player of the Week, respectively.

DeMeo, the 2016 NEC Rookie of the Year, led Bryant's offense despite a 10-9 overtime setback at UMass Lowell on Wednesday, scoring seven of the team's nine goals and adding an assist. In the process, DeMeo established new single-game career highs for goals and points. Her seven markers also matched the NEC single-game high this year. DeMeo's goal with 3:39 left in the game knotted the score at 9-9 and forced overtime against the River Hawks. She finished 2-for-3 on free position attempts and added two ground balls on the day.

Cronin becomes the third Bryant player to earn the NEC Defensive Player of the Week award this season, joining teammates Molly Martin (Island Park, N.Y.) and Samantha Santeramo (Wantagh, N.Y.). The senior defender posted a stellar performance in the overtime setback, collecting five ground balls while forcing three caused turnovers for the Bulldogs.

The Black and Gold return to Smithfield for the start of Northeast Conference play on Friday, hosting LIU Brooklyn at the Track & Turf Complex at 7 p.m.