University of North Carolina Athletics
Pifani Tapped As ACC Defensive Player of Year
May 2, 2017 | Men's Lacrosse
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - A long and distinguished career was honored on Tuesday afternoon as University of North Carolina men's lacrosse senior defenseman was named as the 2017 Atlantic Coast Conference Defenseman of the Year.
Pifani is a senior from Roslyn, Pa. He was a captain of the Tar Heels' 2016 NCAA championship team and also a captain for the 2017 UNC ACC championship team.
"It is an extreme honor to receive this award. I would like to thank my teammates, coaches, family, and the rest of the UNC support staff because without them I would not be in this position," says Pifani.
The Abington High School graduate has started every game he has played in during his Tar Heel career. He missed three games in his junior senior due to injury but started 15 times in 2014, 17 times in 2015, 15 times in 2016 and 15 times so far this year.
Pifani has 126 career ground balls, including 31 in 2017. He has 64 career caused turnovers, including 21 in 2017.
He is tied for 64th in career ground balls at UNC and is tied for second placed in career caused turnovers with Michael Jarvis (2007-10).
Pifani is the first Tar Heel to win the defensive player of the year award in the league since the awards were split into offensive and defensive accolades.
Previous Tar Heel defensemen to win ACC Player of the Year awards are Randy Cox in 1984, Graham Harden in 1991 and Alex Martin 1992.
"Being a member of the University of North Carolina lacrosse family is an honor in itself. For my name to be mentioned amongst some of the greatest defensive players to ever receive this award in the ACC and from UNC such as Randy Cox, Graham Harden and Alex Martin is truly humbling," Pifani continues. "It is such an incredible feeling to be able to bring this award home to UNC for all of the players who have worn the Carolina name across their chest."
Other award winners announced by the ACC Tuesday are Syracuse midfielder Sergio Salcido as the offensive player of the year, Virginia attackman Michael Kraus as the freshman of the year and John Desko of Syracuse as the coach of the year.
Pifani was named All-ACC in both 2016 and 2017. He is a finalist for the 2017 Senior CLASS Award. Fans can vote for Pifani for that award at this link.
