World Lacrosse is highlighting its All-World athletes from past world championships to celebrate their outstanding performances.
Jacob Piseno was named to the All-World Team as the best defender at the 2023 Men’s Championship in San Diego in his first senior-level championship. He helped the Haudenosaunee claim the bronze medal.
Piseno anchored a top ten defense at the championship and frequently shadowed opposing teams’ best attacker. As a team, the Haudenosaunee limited opponents to under seven goals a game, and he racked up 11 ground balls and 11 caused turnovers. He chipped in two goals and four assists.
Piseno was playing in his second World Lacrosse championship overall, after starring at the Men’s U21 Championship in 2022 in Limerick, Ireland, where the Haudenosaunee also claimed a bronze medal.
Below is a short Q and A with Piseno and World Lacrosse
Who has been your most influential coach or teammate, and why?
The most influential people during my career have been my coaches at The University at Albany. Coach Marr, Coach Thompson, Coach Maloney, and Coach Kunz have all been there every step of the way in my career. The only reason I have improved my game at all and have the knowledge I do today not only in the game of lacrosse, but in life as well, is all thanks to them and I appreciate them so much.
What drives you to be the best?
Not really a ‘what drives me’, but ‘who drives me’ is my father. Words cannot describe how much he has done to help me become the man I am today. He works everyday at 100 percent in everything he does, whether that’s trying to keep up with me in the weight room, giving me life lessons, or perfecting his craft in his workplace. There is no one that works harder than him, so that is why he drives me to be the best I can and reach my full capabilities.
What is your favorite lacrosse moment throughout your career?
There are so many moments in my career that have been very special to me. Not just the certain games or tournaments, but the people I have been able to be around as well. I think if I had to choose one it would be this past summer playing in San Diego in my first World Lacrosse Men’s Championship.
Winning bronze, making the All-World team, and being named the most outstanding defender of the tournament was very surreal. I will never forget the 2023 championship because it impacted my confidence as a player so much. Playing with and against the best throughout those two weeks was something I will always be able to look back on and know it made me so much better as a lacrosse player.
