All-Decade Team: Men's Lacrosse

Williamsburg, KY – The UC Athletic Department has built a strong reputation as a premier school in the NAIA and over the past decade, the Patriots welcomed seven new programs, which has expanded its total number of sports offered to 30. In 2014, Cumberlands embarked on adding its fourth & fifth sports on the new decade, men’s and women’s lacrosse, which began competition during the 2014-15 season. In just five years, the Patriots men’s lacrosse team has become perennial power within the NAIA compiling a 46-21 overall record, including a 19-5 mark in the AAC, capturing a regular-season title, and qualifying for a pair of national championships.  The Patriots' success has come in part of having a slew of talented players that have garnered countless honors at both the conference and national level. The men’s lacrosse team has recorded nine NAIA All-Americans, a conference player of the year, two freshmen of the years, a pair of AAC Defensive Players of the Year, 30 All-Conference selections, and six NAIA All-Tournament honors. With all of these accomplishments, the one athlete that represents the men’s lacrosse program on UC’S All-Decade Team is midfielder Nick DiFranco.

DiFranco is one of the most decorated athletes in program history and is the program’s all-time leader in ground balls (398) and caused turnovers (151). DiFranco is a three-time NAIA All-American, the 2018 Appalachian Athletic Conference Player of the Year, the 2019 AAC Defensive Players of the Year, a four-time All-Conference recipient, and was named to the NAIA All-Tournament Team and the AAC All-Tournament Team twice. DiFranco was ranked in the top-five of the NAIA and led the AAC in caused turnovers three straight years while being ranked in the top-ten of the NAIA in ground balls three times. His performance during the 2019 season helped the Patriots capture their first AAC regular season and #1 ranking in the NAIA.

DiFranco was part of the Patriots inaugural class that started with the program during the 2016 season. In the program’s first season, the freshman tallied 70 ground balls, 32 caused turnovers, and an assist to help UC to a 7-5 record, including a 3-3 mark in conference play.  DiFranco scooped at least five ground balls in eight games and posted multiple caused turnovers in six games.  The Cleveland, OH native notched a program-record 18 ground balls in UC’s 10-9 overtime win over Point on April 2, 2016.  He also recorded nine ground balls and a program-record nine caused turnovers against St. Andrews later that season.  For his efforts, DiFranco was one of four Patriots to be named AAC Second Team All-Conference and also was named to the AAC All-Tournament Team.

Coming into the 2017 season, DiFranco looked to build on his strong freshman campaign and did just that leading the conference with 100 ground balls and 30 caused turnovers. His 30 caused turnovers also ranked second in the NAIA that season.  The sophomore scooped double-digit ground balls in three different games, including recording 15 ground balls in consecutive games. The Cleveland, OH native also force multiple ground balls in a game six times, including a season-high six in UC’s win over St. Andrews.  His performance helped UC to a 9-5 record, including a 5-1 mark in conference play. DiFranco capped off the year by making program history being one of the first three Patriots to earn AAC First Team All-Conference honors and being one of the two players to earn the program's first NAIA All-American accolade.

The Cleveland, OH native’s best season came his junior year when he recorded a career-best 119 ground balls, and 44 caused turnovers.  DiFranco scooped at least seven ground balls in a game nine times while forcing at least three turnovers in a game nine times.  He opened the season with nine ground balls, five caused turnovers against SCAD and followed that up with 10 ground balls, four caused turnovers in the win over Michigan-Dearborn.  The junior added 10 and 11 ground balls in the wins over Aquinas and Tennessee Wesleyan, respectfully.  DiFranco helped Cumberlands to a 5-1 mark in conference play and was named the AAC Player of the Year and a First Team All-Conference selection.  In the AAC Tournament, DiFranco tallied six ground balls and three caused turnovers in UC’s 11-7 win over the Tennessee Wesleyan to advance to the championship match and help the Patriots earn their first berth in the NAIA National Invitational. Entering nationals as the fourth-seed, DiFranco notched seven ground balls and four caused turnovers as the Patriots advanced to the semifinals of the tournament.  He capped off his year by being named an NAIA First Team All-American and being selected for the NAIA All-Tournament Team.  

Coming into the 2019 season, DiFranco along with the rest of the senior class looked to build the Patriots record books. After scoring a program-record 26 goals in their season-opener win at Point, DiFranco recorded six ground balls and two caused turnovers to help Cumberlands defeat top-ranked Reinhardt 13-12 on February 19, which led to UC being ranked #1 in the country for the first time in program history. The senior scooped at least seven ground balls nine times and tallied at least three caused turnovers seven times. DiFranco’s strong play in the AAC continued with six caused turnovers in consecutive games against Tennessee Wesleyan and Montreat, which helped the Patriots go 5-0 in AAC play and capture their first AAC regular-season championship in program history.  After advancing to the championship game of the AAC tournament, the Patriots qualified for the second straight NAIA Invitational.  DiFranco tallied 13 ground balls and four caused turnovers at nationals to help Cumberlands reach the semifinals. He finished the year with 109 ground balls and an NAIA best 45 caused turnovers. For his effort, DiFranco earned numerous accolades including AAC Defensive Player of the Year, NAIA First Team All-American, AAC First Team All-Conference, and was named to NAIA All-Tournament Team.

DiFranco graduated from UC in May 2019 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. DiFranco has continued to stay involved in lacrosse as he is back in Cleveland, OH coaching lacrosse in the community.  He is currently working in the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Condition field.   

The UC All-Decade Team was determined based on stats, awards & honors received, and significance to the program in addition to input for members of the UC Athletic Department. It will include one representative from every sport and be comprised of 29 student-athletes. The all-decade team looked at everything from the 2010-2011 season through the 2019-2020 season.