SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Mercer attackman Jake Nelson and Richmond goalkeeper Benny Pugh have been named Southern Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week for men’s lacrosse, respectively, for games played Feb. 14-20, the league office announced Tuesday. Selections are made by the conference office.
Nelson notched a career-high four goals and five points to lead the Bears to their first win of the season in a 10-8 victory over Detroit Mercy in Lexington, Kentucky, on Saturday. Nelson’s four goals and five points were also game highs and he posted a team-leading 57.1 shot percentage and an 85.7 shots-on-goal percentage. The sophomore from Vestal, New York, scored his third goal of the day late in the third quarter to give the Bears an 8-7 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Nelson then assisted teammate Kevin Yoggy on the Bears' game-winning goal with 13:48 remaining in regulation, giving Mercer a two-goal cushion. With less than four minutes to play, the Titans cut Mercer’s lead to one, but Nelson answered one minute later, scoring his fourth goal on the day to put the game out of reach for Detroit Mercy.
Pugh garners his second consecutive SoCon Defensive Player of the Week honor after leading the then-16th ranked Spiders to their second win of the season in a 10-5 defeat over UMBC on Saturday. Pugh saved 13 of the Retrievers’ 15 shots on goal, surrendering only five goals on the day. The Powhatan, Virginia, native also scooped five ground balls and played all 60 minutes the Spiders’ victory. Pugh’s performance against UMBC saw him record his second consecutive double-digit save performance. The senior goalkeeper currently ranks third in the country in save percentage (.758) and second in goals allowed average (4.00).
SoCon lacrosse action resumes Tuesday, Feb. 21, as Richmond travels to Mount St. Mary’s (Md.) for a 3 p.m. contest in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
Also nominated for Offensive Player of the Week: Ryan Lee (Richmond).
Also nominated for Defensive Player of the Week: Tim Troutner Jr. (High Point) and Bradley Hodoval (Mercer.)
2017 Offensive Players of the Week
Feb. 14: Teddy Hatfield, Richmond
Feb. 21: Jake Nelson, Mercer
2017 Defensive Players of the Week
Feb. 14: Benny Pugh, Richmond
Feb. 21: Benny Pugh, Richmond
-www.SoConSports.com-