Link to ECAC Award / Link to NEWMAC Awards
BABSON PARK, Mass. – The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) and the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) have announced their weekly awards in lacrosse Mount Holyoke College student-athlete Liz Malenfant was selected as the Defensive Player of the Week by both organizations. The senior netminder becomes the only three-time recipient of a weekly honor this season in the NEWMAC, while earning her first New England regional honor through the ECAC.
Malenfant, who hails from Nantucket, Mass., went 2-0 last week for the Lyons to maintain her hold as the conference leader in wins (11-2) and save percentage (.500). She did so by stopping 27 shots while scooping up four ground balls and causing a turnover. In a 17-6 victory at Smith, she stopped 11 shots. Malenfant then made a critical 16 saves, with three ground balls and the caused turnover, in a 9-7 win over Babson to secure the second-seed.
A former standout at the White Mountain School (N.H.), Malenfant is second in saves (118), goals against average (9.14) among the NEWMAC leaders. Through 14 contests this season, Malenfant, who is MHC's all-time leader for wins in a season (11-2), has recorded 774:30 minutes in goal and has allowed 118 tallies, which ranks fifth overall in the league.
Malenfant, who also has also scooped up 25 ground balls and caused five turnovers, has now been recognized by the NEWMAC three times this season. Her most recent award came on April 8, when she made 16 saves with four ground balls to help the Lyons defeat Western Connecticut State and MIT.
Last season, Malenfant posted a 12.66 goals against average with a .402 save percentage. She went 4-6 overall with 66 saves over 464:20 minutes of action. Additionally, she had 18 ground balls and four caused turnovers.
Mount Holyoke (11-3; 4-2 NEWMAC) returns to action on Saturday when it plays in the NEWMAC Tournament. The Lyons will face the third-seeded Pride of Springfield College in a 2:30pm showdown. The winner of that game will advance to Sunday's NEWMAC Championship game at 1pm. All games will be held at top-seeded Wheaton College in Norton, Mass.
