SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Furman attackman David Williamson and Richmond goalkeeper Benny Pugh have been named the Southern Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, for games played March 21-27 the league office announced Tuesday. Selections are made by the conference office.
Williamson was crucial in Furman’s first win over Mercer in program history. In the 11-10 Paladin victory, Williamson tallied a career-high five goals and tied his career high of six points to help improve Furman to 2-0 in SoCon play for the second time in program history. Six of Williamson’s seven shots were on goal to achieve an efficient 85.7 shot on goal percentage. Williamson was the first Paladin to score in Saturday’s contest in Greenville, South Carolina, with 1:53 remaining in the first quarter before assisting Furman attackman Graham Dabbs with four seconds remaining in the first quarter, which tied the score at 2-2 heading into the second quarter. Williamson scored back-to-back goals for the Paladins just 13 seconds apart late in the second quarter, giving the Paladins a two-goal cushion. The Gainesville, Virginia, native went for back-to-back goals again in the fourth quarter, including his last one of the game, which gave Furman a 10-8 lead with 12 minutes remaining in regulation.
Williamson is now the Paladins’ second leading goal scorer with 15 goals on the season and is tied for third in points (17) after Saturday’s performance. Williamson leads the SoCon in shot percentage (38.5) and also ranks eighth in the conference in goals per game (1.67).
Pugh was sensational in net, once again, for the Spiders as then-No. 12 Richmond defeated High Point, 12-4, in High Point, North Carolina. Pugh garners his fourth weekly honor after achieving an 83.3 save percentage, while allowing just two Panther goals in 51 minutes played to lead the Spiders to their third SoCon win and eighth overall of the season. The senior tallied double-digit saves, with 16, for the seventh time in nine games played this season.
The Powhatan, Virginia, native leads the nation in save percentage (70.2) and goals-against average (5.18). Pugh also ranks fourth in the conference in saves per game (11.89).
Also nominated for Offensive Player of the Week: Chris Walsch (Air Force), Tucker Ciessau (Bellarmine), Eric Applegate (Jacksonville), Jake Nelson (Mercer) and Teddy Hatfield (Richmond).
Also nominated for Defensive Player of the Week: Trent Harper (Air Force), Max Cartor (Bellarmine), Alec Van de Bovenkamp (Furman), Ben Gleichenhaus (Jacksonville) and Michael O’Brien (Mercer).
2017 Offensive Players of the Week
Feb. 14: Teddy Hatfield, Richmond
Feb. 21: Jake Nelson, Mercer
Feb. 28: Ryan Lee, Richmond
March 8: Lucas Wittenberg, Mercer
March 14: Nick Hruby, Air Force
March 21: Chris Walsch, Air Force
March 28: David Williamson, Furman
2017 Defensive Players of the Week
Feb. 14: Benny Pugh, Richmond
Feb. 21: Benny Pugh, Richmond
Feb. 28: Trent Harper, Air Force
March 8: Alec Van de Bovenkamp, Furman
March 14: Ryan Dennis, Richmond
March 21: Benny Pugh, Richmond
March 28: Benny Pugh, Richmond
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