Big South Announces Women's Lacrosse Players of the Week - Feb. 27
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (www.BigSouthSports.com) – Furman attacker Sophie Shaw (Granville, Ohio) has been named the Big South Women’s Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week, while Mercer goalkeeper Kate Vanderlinde (St. Johns, Fla.) and Radford goalkeeper Olivia Hunter (Mechanicsville, Va.) are the Co-Defensive Players of the Week for matches played Feb. 19-25, it was announced today. In addition, Mercer midfielder Ansley Walters (Canton, Ga.) has been named the Freshman of the Week.
Shaw combined for 12 points on eight goals and four assists to lead Furman offensively in two games last week. She totaled six points apiece in each game and added one draw control. The senior began the week with three goals and three assists on the road at Elon and followed with a season-high five goals to go with one assist and one draw against East Carolina. It marked her third straight game with at least three goals and six points.
Vanderlinde set a new career high with 15 saves in a victory over Davidson on Saturday. She allowed only 10 goals on 33 shots faced, good for a .600 save percentage as she picked up her first win of the season in cage. The graduate student limited Davidson to five goals in each half, including just one goal apiece in both the second and fourth quarters.
Hunter tied a Big South record with 20 saves for Radford on Friday against Campbell. It marked a personal career high and the most saves in a single match in the nation this season (Division I). Her .571 save percentage in cage helped keep the Highlanders within striking distance for most of the contest, as the senior faced a total of 40 shots on the day. She also helped Radford finish 16-of-18 on clear attempts.
Walters posted the first multi-point game of her career with one goal and two assists in Mercer’s 17-10 win at Davidson. The goal was her second in as many games, while her two assists marked the first of her career. The Canton, Ga. native also added four draw controls, two ground balls and a team-high three caused turnovers out of the nine forced by the Bears as a whole.
Also nominated for Offensive Player of the Week: Rebecca Ferrina (Gardner-Webb), Jordan Miles (High Point), Maddi Koury (Mercer), Brooke Chandler (Presbyterian), Margaret Gleason (Radford) and Emma Stalteri (Wofford).
Also nominated for Defensive Player of the Week: Katelyn Sousa (Furman), Emma Meyer (Gardner-Webb), Avery West (Presbyterian) and Lily Barger (Wofford).
Also nominated for Freshman of the Week: Casey Richbourg (Furman), Emma Anderson (Gardner-Webb), Gracie Vickery (High Point), Kaylie Rittmueller (Presbyterian) and Olivia Graebner (Wofford).