Big South Announces Women's Lacrosse Players of the Week - April 2
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (www.BigSouthSports.com) – Furman attacker Paige Harman (Fairport, N.Y.) has been named the Big South Women’s Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week, while Mercer goalkeeper Kate Vanderlinde (St. Johns, Fla.) is the Defensive Player of the Week for matches played March 25-31, it was announced today. In addition, Longwood attacker Ariana Tucci (Frederick, Md.) has been named the Freshman of the Week.
Harman tallied 11 points on three goals and eight assists in leading Furman offensively to a pair of Big South wins over Wofford and Gardner-Webb. She added 10 draw controls and three ground balls and registered at least five points in each contest. The junior opened the week with one goal and four assists – tied for a career-high – contributing on five of the team’s 12 goals as the Paladins came from behind to beat the Terriers by two in Wednesday’s conference opener. Harman followed up with a career-high six points on Saturday in a 21-9 win at Gardner-Webb, matching a career-high with four assists for the second consecutive game to go along with 10 draw controls, another career-high and the second-most in the Big South this season.
Vanderlinde was stellar in cage for Mercer with 15 saves and only 10 goals allowed in victories over Presbyterian and High Point. She posted a strong 6.67 goals against average in 90:00 total minutes and a .600 save percentage on 35 shots faced. The graduate student from St. Johns, Fla. made two saves and did not allow a single goal in the first half of Mercer’s conference opener on Wednesday to position for a win as the Bears built a commanding early lead. Vanderlinde then made 13 saves while holding HPU to 10 goals on 30 shots in a tight 13-10 win over the Panthers on Saturday. She played all 60:00 minutes and picked up her fifth victory of the season in goal.
Tucci totaled seven goals and two assists in Longwood’s wins over Radford and Presbyterian. She opened the Big South season Wednesday with a career-high five points on three goals and two assists in a 14-8 victory against the Highlanders at home. She followed up with a four-goal performance on the road on Saturday, tied for a game-high while setting a new career-high for the freshman attacker. Tucci's contributions came via two goals in the first half before adding another two in the second to help Longwood seal a 16-13 win at Presbyterian.
Also nominated for Offensive Player of the Week: Jamie Weber (Gardner-Webb), Holly Hill (Longwood), Gabby DiVirgilio (Mercer), Mady Cheney (Radford), Claire Witmer (Winthrop) and Carley Irvin (Wofford).
Also nominated for Defensive Player of the Week: Sophia Buzelis (Furman), Lauren Cretella (Gardner-Webb), Esprit Cha (High Point), Miranda Helfenbein (Longwood), Josie Helpard (Radford), Emma Calhoun (Winthrop) and Lily Barger (Wofford).
Also nominated for Freshman of the Week: Lilly Dyer (Furman), Emma Anderson (Gardner-Webb), Ansley Walters (Mercer), Kaylie Rittmueller (Presbyterian) and Madison Mayer (Winthrop).