SPARTANBURG, S.C. – High Point attackman Connor Robinson and Furman goalkeeper Alec Van de Bovenkamp have been named the Southern Conference men’s lacrosse offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, for all competition from March 13-19. The awards are selected by the league office.
Robinson had a career day in the Panthers’ 15-7 win over Bellarmine to open SoCon play Saturday, matching his career highs with four goals and two assists and setting a new career mark with six points on the day. With High Point leading 2-1 midway through the second quarter, Robinson notched a hat trick in less than four minutes to make it a 5-1 game. The senior from New Westminster, British Columbia, then assisted on two more Panther goals in the period as HPU took an 8-2 lead into the half. Robinson tacked on another goal to start the fourth quarter as High Point went on to its first win of the season.
Van de Bovenkamp helped the Paladins make history in its 10-9 win over Richmond on Saturday, matching his career high with 16 saves and allowing just nine goals as Furman picked up its first-ever win over the Spiders, who had been 19-2 in SoCon matches since the league adopted the sport in 2015. The sophomore from Hinsdale, Illinois, needed every save for the win, as he made his final stop on a point-blank shot as time expired to deny Richmond, which entered the contest three days removed from a win over No. 13/14 North Carolina. Van de Bovenkamp, who also corralled six ground balls, faced 44 shots on the day, one shy of his season high, en route to a .640 save percentage.
High Point (1-6, 1-0 SoCon) returns to action at Richmond (4-4, 0-1) on Saturday at 1 p.m. Eastern, while Furman (1-6, 1-0) is at VMI (1-5, 0-2) at noon.
Other offensive nominees: Nick Hruby (Air Force), Gavin Dembeck (Jacksonville) and Mitch Savoca (Richmond).
Other defensive nominees: Trent Harper (Air Force), Terrell Sands (High Point) and Hunter Forbes (Jacksonville).
2018 Southern Conference Men’s Lacrosse Players of the Week
Offense
Feb. 13 Hunter Forbes, Jacksonville
Feb. 20 Nick Hruby, Air Force
Feb. 27 Jeremy Winston, Jacksonville
March 6 Brian Wall, Bellarmine
March 13 John Daniel, VMI
March 20 Connor Robinson, High Point
Defense
Feb. 13 Trent Harper, Air Force
Feb. 20 Blake Goodman, Richmond
Feb. 27 Dixon Smith, Jacksonville
March 6 Kevin Fahey, Bellarmine
March 13 Braden Host, Air Force
March 20 Alec Van de Bovenkamp, Furman
-www.SoConSports.com-