SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Air Force’s Chris Walsch and Doug Gouchoe have been named Southern Conference Men’s Lacrosse Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, for competition held March 22-28, the league office announced Tuesday. This marks the Falcons’ third sweep of the conference’s weekly lacrosse awards.
Walsch, a sophomore attacker, scored five goals and tallied five assists in a pair of Air Force wins last week. The Hampstead, Md., native did most of his damage in a thrilling 10-9 victory at then-ninth-ranked Duke, netting three goals – including the overtime game-winner – to go along with four assists. His nine total points against the Blue Devils marked a season high. Walsch added two goals and an assist in the Falcons’ 7-5 triumph at Detroit on Saturday. He boasts two overtime game-winners this season and leads the Falcons in goals (21) and points (36).
Gouchoe claimed his fourth defensive player of the week honor after recording 26 saves and a .650 goals against average in 123 minutes of action. At Duke, the senior goalkeeper notched 17 saves and limited the Blue Devils’ third-ranked scoring offense to nine goals, six below their season average. He followed up that performance with nine saves at Detroit. The Concord, Mass., native also scooped up a team-high 10 ground balls for the week. Gouchoe leads the SoCon in save percentage (.584) and goals against average (7.00) and ranks fifth and seventh nationally in those categories, respectively.
SoCon lacrosse action continues Tuesday when VMI travels to Virginia for a nonconference showdown in Charlottesville, Va., at 7 p.m.
Other nominees for offense: David Williamson (Furman), Mitchell Parker (Jacksonville) and Jean-Luc Chetner (Richmond).
Other nominees for defense: Henry Buonagurio (Richmond).
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
March 28: Chris Walsch, Air Force, A
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
March 28: Doug Gouchoe, Air Force, GK
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