IWLCA Players of the Week – March 8, 2022

The IWLCA has chosen eight student-athletes for the IWLCA Player of the Week awards for the week ending March 6, 2022. This weekly award recognizes the best offensive and defensive performances by players in Division I, II, III, and the NAIA each week during the regular season.

Offensive Player of the Week

Emily Hawryschuk – Syracuse University

Hawryschuk recorded a career-high nine points in an overtime loss to No. 6 Northwestern and followed that effort up with five points to help the Orange defeat No. 7 Duke last week. Hawryschuk, who missed most of the 2021 season with a knee injury, moved into a tie for fifth place on Syracuse's career points leader list (278) and climbed to fourth place in career goals (226). Syracuse is 5-1 and ranked No. 3 in the ILWomen/IWLCA Division I Poll this week.

Defensive Player of the Week

Sam Thacker – University of Denver

Thacker helped lead Denver to wins over UC Davis, 13-4, and No. 16 Vanderbilt, 10-6, last week. After producing four draw controls, four ground balls and causing five turnovers in Friday's win over UC Davis, the junior defender grabbed a career-high six ground balls, three draw controls and added three caused turnovers against the Commodores. With the wins, Denver improved to 6-0 and moved up to No. 11 in the ILWomen/IWLCA Division I Poll this week.

Offensive Player of the Week

Jessica Meneilly – Le Moyne College

Meneilly registered nine goals, including both game-winners, in Le Moyne's 2-0 week against top-15 opponents. She scored twice, including the game-winner with 10.6 seconds left, in a 10-9 come-from-behind victory over No. 14 Mercy on Wednesday. She then recorded a career-high seven goals (on seven shots) in an 18-13 win over top-ranked and defending national champion Lindenwood on Sunday. The 2-0 Dolphins have moved into the top spot in the ILWomen/IWLCA Division II Poll this week.

Defensive Player of the Week

Taylor Reich – Le Moyne College

Reich registered three caused turnovers and five ground balls in Le Moyne's two wins. The senior defender caused three turnovers and picked up three ground balls in the win over Mercy on Wednesday, then scooped up two ground balls in the victory over Lindenwood on Sunday. Le Moyne, ranked No. 1 in the ILWomen/IWLCA Division II Poll this week, will face second-ranked University of Indianapolis on Sunday.

Offensive Player of the Week

Jordan Basso – Gettysburg College

Basso recorded six points on three goals and three assists in a 13-12 win over third-ranked Washington and Lee on March 6. The sophomore attacker went 3-for-3 on free-position shots, grabbed three ground balls, one draw control, and caused two turnovers against the Generals. Gettysburg improved to 4-0 with the win, and are now ranked second in the ILWomen/IWLCA Division III Poll.

Defensive Player of the Week

Emily Podgorni – Colby College

Podgorni posted a .789 save percentage in the Mules’ 9-4 win over No. 2 Tufts last week. The senior netminder recorded 15 saves, including four in the fourth quarter, and led a defense that limited the Jumbos to two goals in each half and a 3-for-7 effort on free-position shots. Podgorni’s 15 saves tied a career high, and the four goals are the fewest scored by Tufts since 2015. The win vaulted Colby to No. 9 in the ILWomen/IWLCA Division III Poll this week.

Offensive Player of the Week

Cierra Davis – Aquinas College

Davis led the team with 16 points and five assists in the three games last week, while also tying for the team lead at 11 goals. She had nine points on five goals and four assists in the 19-18 win against Kalamazoo, including scoring the game-tying and game-winning goals. The sophomore attacker also had three goals against Hope and No. 4 Life.

Defensive Player of the Week

Trinity Brown – University of the Cumberlands

Brown, a junior defender, had a great week with five caused turnovers, five ground balls and five draw controls. The second ranked Patriots held No. 10 Missouri Baptist to just two goals and shut them out over the first 55 minutes of play.