Big South Announces Women's Lacrosse Players of the Week - May 2
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (www.BigSouthSports.com) – Furman attacker Sophie Shaw (Granville, Ohio) has been named the Big South Offensive Player of the Week, while High Point goalkeeper Taylor Suplee (Lothian, Md.) and Mercer goalkeeper Kate Vanderlinde (St. Johns, Fla.) are the Co-Defensive Players of the Week for matches played April 24-30, it was announced today. In addition, Gardner-Webb attacker Rylee Gonzalez (Syracuse, N.Y.) has been named the Freshman of the Week.
Shaw totaled 12 points on eight goals and four assists as Furman concluded its regular season with conference road wins at Wofford and Presbyterian. She also tallied 12 draw controls. Shaw opened the week with six points on four goals and two assists to help lead the Paladins to a 23-13 victory at Wofford, a game in which Furman set a new program record for goals scored. She followed up on Saturday with another six points on four goals and two assists, while also adding 11 draws, as the Paladins raced to a 16-11 victory over the Blue Hose to conclude the regular season.
Suplee combined for 17 saves and a .500 save percentage on the week to lead High Point to a pair of wins to close the regular season. Facing previously unbeaten Campbell on Wednesday, she made a season-high 12 saves to help the Panthers hand the Camels their first loss of the season, 15-14. Entering the game after halftime on Saturday due to Senior Day, she then followed up with five saves and only three goals allowed to help HPU come from behind and down Gardner-Webb, 15-9.
Vanderlinde totaled 18 saves and finished with a .562 save percentage while picking up two wins and clinching the regular-season title for Mercer. Overall, she allowed only 14 goals on 43 shots faced in 105:00. She opened the week at Presbyterian by making five saves, finishing with a .625 save percentage and allowing only three goals as the Bears raced past PC, 20-4. She then made 13 saves in the regular-season finale as Mercer clinched the Big South regular-season championship with a 14-11 triumph at Campbell.
Gonzalez tallied six points on three goals and three assists while putting five of her six shots on target. She opened the week with two goals on three shots against Winthrop, helping Gardner-Webb pick up a 15-10 victory over the Eagles in the home finale. On Saturday, she added another goal while dishing out three assists against High Point to round out the regular season.
Also nominated for Offensive Player of the Week: Rasa Welsh (Campbell), Jada Preston (Gardner-Webb), Mandy Brockamp (High Point), Riley McDonald (Longwood), Maddi Koury (Mercer) and Molly Dankowski (Winthrop).
Also nominated for Defensive Player of the Week: Chandler Stewart (Campbell), Katelyn Sousa (Furman), Danielle Burke (Gardner-Webb) and Kendra Defilippo (Longwood).
Also nominated for Freshman of the Week: Brooke Cressy (Campbell), Grace Gibson (Furman), Shannon Smith (High Point), Sophia Passa (Longwood) and Grace Taylor (Winthrop).