Joe Venazio, Ethan Irizarry Earn USILA All-Region Honors

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Coker University seniors Joe Venazio and Ethan Irizarry earned United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) All-Region honors, announced by the organization today (Thursday, May 20). Both men earned Honorable Mention honors for the South region at their respective positions.

Venazio played and started in all 14 games this season for Coker, pacing the Cobras with a single-season record 78 points on 40 goals and 38 assists. He finished the season tied for seventh in the league in goals, second in the league in assists and the conference leader in points. He also picked up 28 ground balls and caused four turnovers. He was a USILA/Dynamic D2 Team of the Week selection on Feb. 17, before recording his 150th career point on Mar. 30 against No. 4 Lenoir-Rhyne and his 100th career goal on Apr. 14 vs. Lincoln Memorial. He became the single-season points record holder on Apr. 17 against Anderson (S.C.). Venazio was also the statistical champion for shot percentage with a .513 shot percentage. He ranked inside the Top 10 for shot percentage and assists per game in all of Division II and also ranked inside Top Five for points per game in all of Division II. Venazio also ranked in the Top 20 in all of Division II for goals per game. Venazio was named to the All-Conference Second Team at the conclusion of the season. Venazio was also named a USA Lacrosse Magazine Third Team All-American, the first media poll All-American in program history. 

This is Venazio's first career All-Region selection. The Myrtle Beach, S.C. native is the son of Tanya and Joe Venazio, and graduated from Coker with a degree in exercise science.

Irizarry played and started in 11 games this season, posting 22 goals and four assists for 26 points while picking up 28 ground balls and causing 11 turnovers. He recorded his 100^th career goal against No. 19 Limestone on Apr. 10, before being named to the All-Conference Second Team at the conclusion of the season.

This is Irizarry's first career All-Region selection. The New York, N.Y. native is the son of Eddie Irizarry and Sandy and Joe Eyde, and graduated from Coker with a degree in exercise science.