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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Redshirt sophomore Lauren Benner has been named the womenslacrosse.com Defensive Player of the Week for her performances in Virginia’s 16-7 victory over Richmond and 14-11 upset win over No. 3 Syracuse last week.
Benner posted a .538 save percentage in the two games, including making a career-high 12 saves in the win over Richmond. She followed up that performance stopping nine shots at the Carrier Dome, holding the Orange to their lowest point total of the season – four goals below their average.
Virginia’s goalkeeper currently leads the Atlantic Coast Conference in save percentage, stopping .544 percent of shots faced, and is ranked 12th nationally. In addition, she is second in the league in goals against average, allowing just 7.50 per contest, and is ninth nationally.
Benner is the second Cavalier to earn a national weekly honor this season, as senior All-American Ashley McCulloch was named the Nike/Inside Lacrosse National Player of the Week last week. This marks the first weekly honor for Benner.
The Cavaliers host two-consecutive home contests this weekend in Klckner Stadium. Virginia will face ACC-rival No. 3 Maryland on Friday at 7 p.m., before taking on non-conference foe Penn State at noon on Sunday.