Who is Will Frisoli and what are his accomplishments in lacrosse. How has he contributed to Duke’s lacrosse program. What makes Frisoli stand out as a player and student-athlete. Where did Frisoli play before joining Duke’s team. How has Frisoli’s family influenced his lacrosse career.
Will Frisoli’s Collegiate Lacrosse Journey at Duke University
Will Frisoli has emerged as a key player for the Duke University men’s lacrosse team. His journey from a highly-touted recruit to a crucial defensive asset showcases his growth and impact on the field. Let’s explore Frisoli’s collegiate career and the milestones he’s achieved along the way.
Freshman Year (2020): A Promising Start
Frisoli’s debut season at Duke, though cut short, provided glimpses of his potential:
- Played in five games as a freshman
- Scored his first career goal against High Point University
- Recorded two ground balls and two caused turnovers
Despite the abbreviated season, Frisoli demonstrated his ability to contribute immediately at the collegiate level. How did this early experience shape his development? It likely provided valuable playing time and a taste of the competition he’d face in the coming years.
Sophomore Year (2021): Expanding His Role
In his second year, Frisoli saw increased playing time and responsibilities:
- Appeared in nine games as a longstick midfielder
- Collected eight ground balls throughout the season
- Secured four ground balls in a single game against Robert Morris
- Earned a spot on the ACC Academic Honor Roll
Frisoli’s sophomore campaign showed his growing importance to the Duke defense. His ability to secure ground balls and disrupt opponents’ possessions became more evident. What factors contributed to his increased playing time? Likely a combination of his on-field performance, work ethic, and understanding of Duke’s defensive schemes.
Frisoli’s Breakout Junior Season (2022)
The 2022 season marked a significant step forward in Frisoli’s collegiate career:
- Played in 15 games, including four starts
- Collected 19 ground balls
- Forced 11 turnovers
- Scored a goal in a victory over North Carolina
Frisoli’s junior year demonstrated his ability to impact games consistently. His performance against Virginia (three ground balls and three caused turnovers) and Notre Dame (three caused turnovers and two ground balls) highlighted his defensive prowess. How did Frisoli’s increased role affect Duke’s overall defensive performance? His contributions likely played a significant part in the team’s success throughout the season.
Senior Year (2023): Cementing His Status as a Defensive Star
Frisoli’s final season at Duke showcased his development into one of the team’s defensive anchors:
- Played in all 19 games as a longstick midfielder
- Recorded 37 ground balls and 11 caused turnovers
- Contributed offensively with three goals and one assist
- Key member of Duke’s defense, which ranked second in the ACC
Frisoli’s senior campaign was marked by consistency and impact. He collected at least one ground ball in 17 games, demonstrating his reliability in securing possessions for Duke. His standout performances included:
- Four ground balls and two forced turnovers in a win against #1 ranked Virginia
- Four ground balls and one caused turnover in the season opener against Bellarmine
- Three ground balls in the NCAA Quarterfinal victory over Michigan
How did Frisoli’s senior year performance contribute to Duke’s postseason success? His steady play and big-game performances were crucial in the team’s run to the NCAA Championship game.
Academic Excellence: Balancing Athletics and Academics
Frisoli’s accomplishments extend beyond the lacrosse field. His academic achievements include:
- Named to the All-ACC Academic Team in 2023
- Three-time ACC Academic Honor Roll recipient (2021, 2023)
How does Frisoli’s academic success complement his athletic achievements? It demonstrates his commitment to excellence in all aspects of his collegiate experience and highlights the well-rounded nature of his character.
Will Frisoli’s Path to Duke: High School Accolades and Recruitment
Before joining the Blue Devils, Frisoli established himself as one of the nation’s top lacrosse prospects:
- Five-year letterwinner at St. Sebastian’s School
- Ranked as the #14 incoming freshman by Inside Lacrosse
- Four-time All-Independent School League selection
- Collected 206 career ground balls as a defenseman
- Scored 20 goals over four seasons
- Caused 21 turnovers in his senior year alone
Frisoli’s high school career was decorated with numerous accolades:
- USA Today All-American in 2018
- ISL Player of the Year in 2019
- Selected for the Under Armour All-America team as a senior
- All-ISL selection in football during his senior year
How did Frisoli’s impressive high school resume prepare him for success at Duke? His experience playing at a high level and earning national recognition likely eased his transition to collegiate competition.
The Frisoli Family: A Lacrosse Legacy
Will Frisoli’s lacrosse journey is deeply rooted in his family’s athletic background:
- Born on August 20, 1999, in Westwood, Massachusetts
- Son of Kerry and Mike Frisoli
- One of five children, with four brothers
- Father played football at Tufts University
- Mother played women’s lacrosse at Nobles and Tufts University
- Older brother, Jack, plays lacrosse for Harvard University
How has Frisoli’s family background influenced his lacrosse career? Growing up in a household with strong athletic ties, particularly in lacrosse, likely fostered his passion for the sport and provided valuable guidance throughout his development.
A Family of Athletes
The Frisoli household is brimming with athletic talent:
- All five Frisoli brothers play both football and lacrosse
- Will’s experience in football (All-ISL selection) complements his lacrosse skills
- The family’s athletic pedigree spans multiple generations and sports
How does the multi-sport background of the Frisoli family contribute to Will’s success in lacrosse? Playing multiple sports often develops well-rounded athletes with diverse skill sets, potentially giving Will an edge on the lacrosse field.
Will Frisoli’s Playing Style and On-Field Impact
Frisoli’s contributions to Duke’s lacrosse program are multifaceted:
- Primarily plays as a longstick midfielder
- Excels at ground ball collection and causing turnovers
- Capable of contributing offensively when opportunities arise
- Key component of Duke’s highly-ranked defense
What makes Frisoli’s playing style particularly effective? His combination of defensive prowess and offensive awareness makes him a versatile threat on the field. His ability to transition from defense to offense quickly can catch opponents off guard.
Statistical Highlights
Frisoli’s career statistics at Duke demonstrate his consistent impact:
- Total ground balls: 64 (as of the end of his senior season)
- Caused turnovers: 24
- Goals: 5
- Assists: 1
How do Frisoli’s statistics reflect his value to the team? While not always flashy, his consistent ability to secure possessions and disrupt opponents’ attacks is crucial to Duke’s success.
The Future of Will Frisoli’s Lacrosse Career
As Frisoli concludes his collegiate career at Duke, questions arise about his future in lacrosse:
- Potential for professional lacrosse opportunities
- Possible coaching or mentoring roles in the sport
- Applying lessons learned from lacrosse to future endeavors
What paths might Frisoli explore after graduation? His combination of on-field success and academic excellence opens doors to various opportunities, both within and outside the world of lacrosse.
Lasting Impact on Duke’s Program
Frisoli’s contributions to Duke lacrosse extend beyond his individual statistics:
- Role model for younger players
- Embodiment of student-athlete excellence
- Part of Duke’s continued success and national prominence in lacrosse
How will Frisoli’s legacy influence future Duke lacrosse players? His dedication to both athletics and academics sets a high standard for incoming recruits and underclassmen to aspire to.
Will Frisoli’s journey from a highly-touted high school prospect to a key contributor for one of the nation’s top collegiate lacrosse programs is a testament to his skill, work ethic, and character. His growth at Duke, both on and off the field, showcases the potential for student-athletes to excel in multiple areas of their lives. As Frisoli moves forward from his collegiate career, he leaves behind a legacy of consistency, versatility, and academic success that will inspire future generations of lacrosse players at Duke and beyond.
Will Frisoli – 2023 – Men’s Lacrosse
2023 Men’s Lacrosse Roster
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Biography
Honors: All-ACC Academic Team (2023) … ACC Academic Honor Roll (2021, 2023).
2023: Played in all 19 games as a longstick midfielder … Picked up 37 ground balls … Registered 11 caused turnovers … Scored three goals and one assist for four points … A key member of the defense that ranked second in the ACC … Collected at least one ground ball in 17 games … Grabbed four ground balls and forced two turnovers in win at No. 1 Virginia (3/31) … Also had a goal versus the Cavaliers … Picked up four GBs and caused one turnover in win over Loyola (3/10) … Grabbed three ground balls in NCAA Quarterfinal win over Michigan (5/20) … Had two GBs and three caused turnovers in NCAA Championship game against Notre Dame (5/29) … Corralled four ground balls and one caused turnover in season-opening win over Bellarmine (2/4) … All-ACC Academic Team … ACC Academic Honor Roll.
2022: Played in 15 games with four starting assignments … Collected 19 ground balls … Forced 11 turnovers … Scored a goal in win over North Carolina (5/1) … Picked up three ground balls and caused three turnovers in win over Virginia (4/14) … Compiled three caused turnovers and collected two ground balls at Notre Dame (4/9) … Picked up three ground balls and a caused turnover in season-opening win over Robert Morris (2/4) … Scooped three ground balls against Notre Dame (5/7).
2021: Saw action at longstick midfield in nine games … Picked up eight ground balls … Secured four ground balls in win over Robert Morris (2/7) … Had two GBs versus North Carolina (5/2) … ACC Academic Honor Roll.
2020: Played in five games … Scored his first career goal in win at High Point (2/8) … Also picked up a ground ball and forced two turnovers versus the Panthers … Finished the season with two ground balls and two caused turnovers.
Prior to Duke: A five-year letterwinner for Adam White at St. Sebastian’s … Tabbed the No. 14 incoming freshman by Inside Lacrosse … Played eighth grade through senior year … A four-time All-Independent School League choice, earning honorable mention notice as a freshman … Collected 206 career ground balls as a defenseman … Also scored 20 goals in his four seasons and caused 21 turnovers as a senior … … USA Today All-American in 2018 and ISL Player of the Year in 2019 … Named to Under Armour All-America team as a senior … Also played three years of football … All-ISL as a senior … Was a member of the National Honor Society.
Personal: Son of Kerry and Mike … Has four brothers … Father played football at Tufts University … Mother was a member of the women’s lacrosse team at Tufts … Brother, Jack, is a junior on the Harvard men’s lacrosse team … Born August 20, 1999.
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Player Spotlight – Will Frisoli
We welcome Will Frisoli to the BostonLax Recruiting Spotlight!
What town are you from?
Westwood, MA
How many family members do you have and do they play sports too? Do your parents play lacrosse?
I am one of five children. I have four other brothers, one older and three younger. All of my siblings play football and lacrosse. My older brother, Jack, is now in college and plays lacrosse at Harvard. My mother played lacrosse in high school and college at Nobles and Tufts University respectively. My father never played lacrosse. He played football and did Track and Field and Tufts as well.
Why St. Sebastian’s?
I choose St. Sebastian’s because I had family members who had gone there and had many great things to say about the school. My uncle went to St. Sebastian’s, played lacrosse for the school, and ended up graduating college and coming back to teach at the school for a few years. Also, my older brother was an 8th grader at Sebs when I began the application process. Both my uncle and my brother had given me very good reviews on the school and I was very excited to attend. I went and watched my uncles lacrosse games at the school when I was just a toddler so I really grew up with a good knowledge of the school and I knew it was the right place for me. I am incredibly happy with my decision to attend St. Sebastian’s. Sebs is really a special place with amazing people within the community. St. Sebastian’s has allowed me to grow infinitely as a student and athlete.
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How has the transition been from a young star to a captain? What responsibilities have changed?
Going from a young guy on the team to now being a senior on the team is an interesting transition. I realize now that as a senior I have to really have to be a leader on the team. All the younger players all look up to the older returners of the team so as an older player I have to be conscious of always playing hard and setting the tone for each practice and game. I have been very fortunate to have been on the team to witness many great leaders and captains come through this program. The alumni of the St. Sebastian’s lacrosse program are the ones who have paved the way for how this team is run and how we do things. I hope to be a good role model to younger players on the team this year as the past leaders of this team were to me.
Who else is captain with you and what makes them great leaders?
The other captains are Peter Blake and Brian Piatelli. Peter Blake is a great player and one of the leaders of our defense. Peter is great at directing players where to be and is a great communicator on the defensive side of the ball. Brian Piatelli has an incredibly high IQ when it comes to the sport of lacrosse. Brian is a great attackman on the team and has the ability to help younger players on the team reach their full potential as players. Brian also is great at leading by example; he’s always doing the little things correctly and to the best of his ability.
Most influential coach in youth sports? Why? High School? Why?
I would say in youth sports my father was my most influential coach. My father always coached me in Pop Warner football as I was growing up. My dad taught me so many great lessons that have shaped who I am as a person and a competitor. My father taught me how to push myself, compete hard, and give 100% effort at all times.
In high school sports I believe my most influential coaches have been Adam White, my head lacrosse coach, and Bob Souza, my head football coach. Both coaches have been tremendous role models and friends throughout my high school career. Coach White has been on the St. Sebastian’s lacrosse staff throughout my entire high school career. He has shaped me into the player I am today and I really appreciate all the hard work he has put into this program. Coach White has fully committed himself to St. Sebastian’s lacrosse program and is great at forming relationships with his players. Jack Reid and Ben Smith are also two coaches that have been very helpful to me with skill specific work. Both guys were great players and have taught me so many things about the game.
What are you looking forward to most this spring season?
This spring I am really just looking forward to competing in such a talented, strong league. The ISL has been a great league for many years now and I look forward to taking on great competition alongside all of my teammates.
Any games on the schedule that stand out?
I am looking forward to our first game of the season against Malvern Prep. This game should be a great test for our team before heading into league play. In terms of ISL play, every game is a big one with championship implications so all ISL matchups are huge.
Any players on opposing rosters that you look forward to matching up with?
The great thing about the ISL is that every team really has a lot of good players. Each game I will be matched up against a very good player so I’m really just looking forward to playing such great competition and players throughout the season.
What are the goals for St. Sebastian’s this spring?
Our goal this season is to take every game one at a time. As a team if we are able to do this I think great success and many wins will come.
Recruiting
What was your process like with Harvard? When did you commit?
I initially committed to Harvard the summer after freshman year. Harvard was one of a couple of schools that reached out to me and I really enjoyed the school and liked many of the coaches on the staff at the time.
Why the transition in commitment from Harvard to Duke? What made you choose Duke
Although I really would’ve enjoyed playing with my brother at Harvard I believe that this was the best decision for me. I visited Duke a few times and really got a good sense for the school, the people, and the program. I think the proven success and the culture around the Duke team was very attractive to me. I really hope to be in a position to compete for a National Championship one day and I believe Duke is a great place to do such a thing.
Anyone else recruit you in the first process and who came knocking during the second process?
In my initial recruiting process I spoke very seriously to coaches from Penn, Harvard, Duke, and Notre Dame. During the second half of my recruiting process I spoke to coaches from Duke, Yale, UVA, and Harvard.
What advice would you give to a young player about the process?
I would tell a young player to take the process slow. This is obviously a large decision in a young man’s life so I would suggest that you really make sure you love the school and can see yourself going there. I would also suggest that a player does not commit to a school solely for the lacrosse; you will be spending 4+ years at this place so you want to make sure you will enjoy the overall experience of being a student as well as an athlete at the school.
What is your favorite club tournament or showcase you attended and why?
My favorite club tournament I attended is the Vail Shootout. This tournament always has unbelievable competition from all over the country. Also, playing in Colorado at that time of year is awesome.
Training – How often are you in the gym a week during the season and out of season?
Out of season I am in the gym anywhere from 4-5 times a week. In season as a team we will be in the gym 2-3 times per week.