SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Furman’s Stephen Wierzbicki and High Point’s Tim Troutner have been named Southern Conference Men’s Lacrosse Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, for games played March 29-April 4, the league office announced Tuesday.
Wierzbicki, a junior attacker, earned his first career hat trick in the Paladins’ 13-7 win over league foe Jacksonville in Greenville, S.C., on Saturday. The Waxhaw, N.C., native was efficient, scoring his three goals on only four shots. Wierzbicki also scooped up a pair of ground balls in the victory.
On the defensive side, Troutner, a freshman goalkeeper, led High Point to a 15-10 home triumph over Mercer on Sunday. The product of Annapolis, Md., tallied 14 stops in 59 minutes of action for a save percentage of .583. Troutner also caused a turnover en route to his fourth win of the season. He and the HPU defense clamped down after Mercer knotted the game at 4-all early in the second quarter, holding the Bears scoreless for an 18-minute stretch while the Panthers’ attack built an 8-4 lead.
SoCon lacrosse action resumes Saturday with a full slate of league contests.
Other nominees for offense: Peyton Garrett (High Point), Chris Baxa (Mercer) and Wesley Sanders (VMI).
Other nominees for defense: Taylor Stuart (Bellarmine) and Reilly McDermott (Furman).
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 29: Chris Walsch, Air Force, A
April 5: Stephen Wierzbicki, Furman, 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 29: Doug Gouchoe, Air Force, GK
April 5: Tim Troutner, High Point, GK
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