SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Air Force’s Christopher Allen and Mercer’s Mike Nugent have been named Southern Conference Men’s Lacrosse Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, for games played March 15-21, the league office announced Tuesday.

Allen garnered his second straight offensive player of the week honor by netting a career-high-tying four goals Saturday in a 13-4 home win over SoCon foe High Point. The senior midfielder from Hillsborough, N.J, scored his most important goal in the fourth quarter, helping stave off a 3-0 Panthers run. Allen has tallied 14 points in his last four games and is second on the team with 19 points and 15 goals this season.

Nugent, a senior goalkeeper for the Bears, garnered his first weekly award of the season after shutting out VMI in 54 minutes of action Saturday. The Milton, Ga., native recorded nine stops in the winning effort for a career-best perfect save percentage. Mercer allowed only a pair of goals in the 13-2 home victory, marking the fewest goals allowed in a single game in program history.

SoCon lacrosse action continues Tuesday when 20th-ranked Air Force (6-2) travels to Durham, N.C., for a showdown with No. 11 Duke (6-3) at 7 p.m.

Other nominees for offense: Eric Applegate (Jacksonville) and Matt Quinn (Mercer).

Other nominees for defense: Doug Gouchoe (Air Force), Taylor Stuart (Bellarmine) and Ben Gleichenhaus (Jacksonville).

2016 Offensive Players of the Week

Feb. 16: Mitch Goldberg, Richmond, A

Feb. 23: Chris Walsch, Air Force, A

March 1: Michael LeClair, High Point, A

March 9: Mitch Goldberg, Richmond, A

March 15: Christopher Allen, Air Force, M

March 22: Christopher Allen, Air Force, M

2016 Defensive Players of the Week

Feb. 16: Bobby Schmitt, Bellarmine, LSM

Feb. 23: Doug Gouchoe, Air Force, GK

March 1: Doug Gouchoe, Air Force, GK

March 9: Benny Pugh, Richmond, GK

March 15: Doug Gouchoe, Air Force, GK

March 22: Mike Nugent, Mercer, GK

-www.SoConSports.com-