Canyon Birch Named to the USILA/Blatant Lacrosse Team of the Week
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Following his stellar performance versus Wingate, UT men's lacrosse standout, Canyon Birch has been named to the USILA/Blatant Lacrosse Team of the Week.
The United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association released its 2024 Division II Blatant Lacrosse Team of the Week accolades on Tuesday, March 12. Ten players earned recognition from the organization as they each posted exceptional performances in their programs games this past week.
The list of honorees is as follows:
1. Daniel Zabbia, attack, junior, Pace University. Two games, six goals, seven points, seven ground balls, and one caused turnover. Zabbia was the top offensive performer in a 2-0 week for Pace. He scored 2 goals while assisting on one more in a rout of Georgian Court. In a defensive battle with Chestnut Hill, Zabbia ripped four goals, with all four shots that were on target going in the back of the cage, while scooping up six ground balls.
2. Greg Gibbons, midfield, senior, Mercy University. One game, two goals, three assists, five points. Gibbons had a game-high five points on two goals and a game-high three assists in Mercy's win over No. 13 Seton Hill on Saturday. The senior assisted on the game-winning goal.
3. Scott Reed, attack, graduate student, Newberry College. One game, six goals, one assist, seven points. Reed scored six goals on seven shots versus No. 6 UIndy on Saturday in Newberry's 14-9 win. It's the fourth time this season Reed has registered six or more goals in a game.
4. Ryan Erler, goalkeeper, graduate student, Newberry College. One game, one caused turnover,,526 save percentage, and nine goals allowed. Erler stopped 10 of 19 shots in Newberry's 14-9 win over No. 6 UIndy on Saturday and also caused one turnover.
5. Maddux Walton, attack, freshman, Florida Southern College. Two games, eight goals, eight points, seven ground balls, two ground balls. Walton led the offensive attack for the Moccasins this week in a pair of victories. FSC opened the week Tuesday at home by defeating Belmont Abbey 19-10 before heading on the road Saturday for a 14-11 victory over Anderson. Walton tallied a hat trick versus BAC before exploding for a career-best five goals at Anderson including the game-winner. He also collected seven ground balls over the two contests and caused a pair of turnovers versus BAC. In total he took 19 shots on the week including 14 on goal.
6. Linus Toward, attack, freshman, Rockhurst University. One game, eight goals, one assist, nine points, two ground balls. Toward led Hawks with eight goals and one assist in a 22-12 win over Indiana Tech.
7. Jayden Rios, midfield/fogo, freshman, Felician University. One game, four goals, one assist, five points, 12 ground balls, 20-24 (.833) face-offs. Jayden led the Falcons with 20 face-off wins and 12 GBs. He was also an integral part of our offense during the day, where he contributed 4 goals and an assist.
8. Logan Stinson, attack, senior, Wilmington (Del.) University. One game, six goals, six points, one ground ball, one caused turnover. Led the Wildcats to their first win of the season with 6 goals at Lake Erie, 3 coming in the 4th quarter to seal the victory.
9. Harry Maloney, attack, sophomore, Belmont Abbey College. Two games, three goals, four assists, seven points, four ground balls. Scored a team-high three goals in an 11-10 win over Embry-Riddle... also had two assists.
10. Canyon Birch, attack, senior, University of Tampa. One game, six goals, one assist, seven points, one ground ball. Birch was named SSC Offensive Player of the Week by leading Tampa to an 11-10 double overtime victory against No. 6 Wingate. The Brielle, New Jersey native scored six goals for the Spartans, including the game-winner in double overtime. Birch led all players in goals and points; he also caused a turnover in the win. His six goals came on 16 total shots and 11 shots on goal.