April 10, 2024
Birch Selected to USILA/Blatant Lacrosse Team of the Week for Second Time This Season
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Canyon Birch has been selected to the USILA/Blatant Lacrosse Team of the Week for the second time this season.
The United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association released its 2024 Division II Blatant Lacrosse Team of the Week accolades on Wednesday, April 10. Players earned recognition from the organization as they each posted exceptional performances in their program's games this past week.
The list of honorees is as follows:
1. Tim Ladner, FOGO, Limestone
One game, one goal, nine ground balls, 19-19 faceoff (100). Went a perfect 19-for-19 at the faceoff while picking up a game-high nine groundballs in a 22-7 win over Catawba.
2. Daniel Zabbia, Attack, Pace
Two games, 10 goals, one assist, three ground balls. Zabbia fired off 10 goals this week in a 2-0 week for Pace which had Pace take down No. 13 Bentley in 3OT, where Zabbia scored four goals including the game-winner in overtime. He followed that up with a six-goal showing against Southern New Hampshire University. Between the two games, he added three ground balls. He was named Northeast 10 Player of the Week as well.
3. Dylan Renner, Goalie, Adelphi
Two games, two ground balls, 76 save percentage, and 12 goals allowed. Renner totaled 38 saves in a 2-0 week for no. 4 Adelphi, posting a GAA of 6.44 through both games. He collected a career-high 21 saves against Assumption, logging his 500th (and counting) career save.
4. Merritt McMahon, Attack, Westminster
One game, six goals, two assists, three ground balls. Merritt scored 6 goals on 11 shots and added 2 assists against Concordia.
5. Trevor Almanza, Goalie, Thomas More
One game, 82 save percentage, three goals allowed. Trevor has been our most consistent player all season long. Averaging 14 saves per game. He had a great day in the cage with our 11-3 win over David and Elkins.
6. Ricky Fedorchak, Defense, Florida Tech
One game, four ground balls, and eight caused turnovers. Ricky led the defense with 8 CTOs and 4 GBs in the comeback win against RV Embry Riddle.
7. Brett Bridges, Attack, Georgian Court
Two games, seven goals, two assists, five ground balls. Led GCU to two wins scoring seven goals and nine points with five ground balls.
8. Canyon Birch, Attack, Tampa
Two games, 10 goals, five assists, three ground balls. Birch gathered SSC Offensive Player of the Week for the second time in 2024 after leading Tampa to wins at Embry-Riddle (18-14) and against Lynn (20-4). The Brielle, New Jersey native scored eight goals for the Spartans in the win over ERAU, which is tied for third-most in SSC single-game history. Additionally, Birch had a groundball and an assist in the victory. Against Lynn, Birch tallied six points from four assists and two goals. His 10 goals scored last week came on 23 total shots and 17 shots on goal.
9. Nolan Dalep, Midfield, Lewis
One game, four goals, two ground balls. Dalep led the Flyers with a game-high 4 goals and a pair of groundballs in the Flyers win over #15 Maryville.