Three Cobras Earn Preseason All-Conference Honors, Coker Picked Sixth in SAC Preseason Coaches' Poll

ROCK HILL, S.C. - Coker University men’s lacrosse was picked sixth in the 2021 South Atlantic Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll, announced by the league today (Wednesday, Jan. 27). Senior midfielder Ethan Irizarry was named to the Preseason All-Conference First Team, while junior attack Joe Venazio and senior defenseman James Brugger were selected to the Preseason All-Conference Second Team.

January 27, 2021

ROCK HILL, S.C. - Coker University men's lacrosse was picked sixth in the 2021 South Atlantic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, announced by the league today (Wednesday, Jan. 27). Senior midfielder Ethan Irizarry was named to the Preseason All-Conference First Team, while junior attack Joe Venazio and senior defenseman James Brugger were selected to the Preseason All-Conference Second Team.

No. 6 Lenoir-Rhyne topped the poll with 10 first-place votes and 110 points, while No. 9 Limestone was picked second with 100 points. No. 14 Wingate was tabbed third with 90 points and the remaining first-place vote, while No. 12 Queens (N.C.) is slated fourth with 86 points. Catawba was picked fifth with 71 points, followed by Coker with 59 points. Tusculum took the seventh spot with 57 points, while Newberry was slated eighth with 49 points. Mars Hill (40 points), Lincoln Memorial (31 points) and Anderson (S.C.) (22 points) rounded out the poll.

The Cobras played to a 6-2 record last spring prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, starting with victories over Lees-McRae (Feb. 2, 20-7) and Chowan (Feb. 5, 16-6). The Cobras would win four of the final five games, going on a four-game non-conference winning streak with wins over North Greenville (Feb. 14, 9-8), Barton (Feb. 18, 19-12), Embry-Riddle (Feb. 23, 16-15) and Montevallo (Mar. 5, 16-15).

The Cobras return the majority of their offensive production in 2021, as well as several starting defensemen and experience in goal.

Irirzarry was a Preseason All-Conference selection a season ago as a junior. He played and started in all eight games before the season was shortened due to COVID-19. Irizarry totaled 23 goals and eight assists for 31 points, and also recorded his 100th career point against No. 12 Queens (N.C.) (Mar. 7). He also picked up 31 ground balls and caused seven turnovers.

The New York, N.Y. native is the son of Eddie Irizarry and Sandy and Joe Eyde, and is a criminology major.

Venazio was a Preseason All-Conference selection a season ago as a sophomore. He played and started in all eight games before the season was shortened due to COVID-19. Venazio led the team in goals (23) and assists (17) for a team-high 40 points. He also registered his 100th career point at Montevallo (Mar. 5) and was named SAC AstroTurf Offensive Player of the Week twice (Feb. 2), (Feb. 17-23). On the national level, Venazio was named to the USILA D2 Team of the Week (Feb. 17-23). He also totaled 27 ground balls and 13 caused turnovers on the season. Academically, he was named to the 2019-20 South Atlantic Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll.

The Myrtle Beach, S.C. native is the son of Joe and Tanya Venazio, and is an exercise science major.

Brugger played and started in all eight games before the season was shortened due to COVID-19. He totaled 12 ground balls and seven caused turnovers on the season. Academically, he was named to the 2019-20 South Atlantic Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll and received the 2019-20 D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award. This is Brugger's first career Preseason All-Conference selection.

The Mooresville, N.C. native is the son of James and Keri Brugger, and is an exercise science major.

The Cobras open the 2021 season at No. 10 Mount Olive on Feb. 10. Opening faceoff is set for 4:00 p.m.