SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Richmond attackman Ryan Lee and Air Force faceoff specialist Trent Harper have been named Southern Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Feb. 21-27, the league office announced Tuesday. Selections are made by the conference office.
Lee became the first player in Spider history to record four straight hat tricks after posting back-to-back three-goal games in the Spiders’ pair of wins last week at Mount St. Mary’s (Md.) (10-7) and No. 16 Marquette (9-2). For the week, Lee averaged 3.0 goals, and 2.0 assists, while landing 13 of his 18 shots (.462) on net. The sophomore attackman also tallied three ground balls on the week.
Lee currently ranks first in the SoCon in goals per game (3.25) and points per game (4.50) through four games this season. Lee’s average of 3.25 goals per game currently ranks 17th in the country.
Harper dominated the center line over the weekend at the Pioneer Face-Off Classic in Denver, Colorado, in the Falcons’ pair wins over Canisius (15-10) and Cleveland State (16-2). On the weekend, Harper went 16-21 (.762) in faceoffs and nabbed 20 groundballs for the Falcons. A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Harper was a key defensive figure in holding CSU’s top-two scorers to one shot on the game.
Harper currently ranks second in the SoCon and 13th in nation in faceoff winning percentage (.607).
SoCon lacrosse action resumes Wednesday, March 1, as High Point travels to Charlottesville, Virginia, to take on No. 9 Virginia (3-1) for a 7 p.m. contest that will air on ACC Network Extra.
Also nominated for Offensive Player of the Week: Chris Walsch (Air Force), Brian Wall (Bellarmine), Lou Yovino (Furman), Michael LeClair (High Point), Will Hendrick (Jacksonville), Bryan Gibson (Mercer) and Chris Spada (VMI).
Also nominated for Defensive Player of the Week: Tanner Landstra (High Point), Chase York (Jacksonville), Kiel Brennan (Mercer) and Benny Pugh (Richmond).
2017 Offensive Players of the Week
Feb. 14: Teddy Hatfield, Richmond
Feb. 21: Jake Nelson, Mercer
Feb. 28: Ryan Lee, Richmond
2017 Defensive Players of the Week
Feb. 14: Benny Pugh, Richmond
Feb. 21: Benny Pugh, Richmond
Feb. 28: Trent Harper, Air Force
-www.SoConSports.com-