Northwestern University Athletics
Pair of Wildcats Garner ALC Player of Week Honors
3/8/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
March 8, 2011
EVANSTON, Ill -- No. 2 Northwestern finished off a season-opening five-game road trip with back-to-back blowout wins over Navy and No. 6 Georgetown, thanks largely to the performances of juniors Shannon Smith and Brianne LoManto, who earned conference honors as a result. Smith was named the ALC Offensive Player of the Week while LoManto was chosen as the ALC Defensive Player of the Week.
Smith was an all-around force in both contests, pacing the Wildcats' with a combined 19 points, while tacking on eight draw controls and seven ground balls. Against Navy, Smith recorded hat tricks in each half on her way to a season-high six goals and three assists.
She remarkably topped these numbers in the next game, a 24-15 defeat of the Hoyas, posting five goals and five assists. Smith now leads the team with 18 goals and 14 assists on the year, converting 76% of her team-high 22 shots on goal into scores.
Goalkeeper Brianne LoManto was a key reason the Wildcats were able to stretch their leads against both Navy and Georgetown with extended scoring runs. The junior stopped numerous point blank shots early in both contests to stifle any opposing momentum, recording five total saves against the Midshipmen and nine against the Hoyas.
In addition, she was the catalyst in limiting Georgetown to just four goals on nine free position opportunities. LoManto now has 35 saves on the young season, with a goals against average of just 8.01.
The award is the first of Smith's career, while LoManto earned the Player of the Week nod once last season.
LoManto, Smith and the rest of the Wildcats host their first home game on the season this Friday, March 11, welcoming California to Evanston for a 3 p.m. showdown.
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