ACC Freshman of Year Cannizzaro transfers from Terps lacrosse to Denver

A Maryland athletics department official confirmed Tuesday that attackman Connor Cannizzaro, who earned Atlantic Coast Conference Freshman of the Year honors this past spring, has transferred to Denver.

Denver, which captured the Big East regular-season and tournament crowns and advanced to the NCAA tournament semifinals in May, also announced Cannizzaro's transfer. The move was first reported Monday by Syracuse.com.

Cannizzaro joins older brother and senior midfielder Sean on the Pioneers roster. Sean Cannizzaro recorded 16 points on seven goals and nine assists as a second-line midfielder last spring.

Connor Cannizzaro was tied for fourth on the Terps in goals with 26 and tied for second in assists with eight. He could join an attack that returns Wesley Berg (48 goals and 20 assists as a junior), Jack Bobzien (42, 21 as a sophomore) and Zach Miller (38, 19 as a freshman). Cannizzaro, Berg and Miller have experience playing in the midfield.

Cannizzaro's absence could be filled by Dylan Maltz, who is reportedly transferring to Maryland from former ACC rival Syracuse. Maltz had three goals and one assist in six games in his freshman year for the Orange this past spring.

Maltz could make his way onto a starting attack that includes Matt Rambo (30, 6 as a freshman). Jay Carlson (26, 5 as a junior), Colin Heacock (5, 4 as a freshman) and Tim Rotanz (3, 3 as a freshman) will also compete for time as a starter.