Three Buffs Earn MPSF Player of the Week Honors
BOULDER - The University of Colorado lacrosse team swept the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Player of the Week honors for the second time this season. Three Buffaloes took home the awards for the week of April 20-26.
Sophomore Marie Moore earned the Offensive Player of the Week title, sophomore Paige Soenksen was awarded Defensive Player of the Week and freshman Darby Kiernan claimed Rookie of the Week honors. Colorado went 2-0 over its final two games of the regular season last weekend and earned the No. 4 seed in the MPSF Tournament.
Moore, combined for four goals, 13 draw controls, eight groundballs and forced six turnovers in two pivotal games that helped CU earn a bid in the conference tournament. On Friday, April 24, she recorded her fourth hat trick of the season, scoring three goals as the Buffs defeated the Fresno State Bulldogs, 16-7. In the same contest, she also had a team-leading 11 draw controls to go along with three ground balls and two caused turnovers. The midfielder from Brick, N.J. had one goal against the Ducks on Sunday, April 26, extending her scoring streak to 11 straight games in CU's 8-6 win, securing the fourth seed in the tournament. All five shots she took were on frame and led the Buffs with four caused turnovers. This is Moore's first MPSF Player of the Week award of the year.
Soenksen anchored the Buffs' defense at goalkeeper, making 16 saves while holding Oregon and Fresno State to a combined 2 of 10 shooting on free-position attempts. She tallied six saves and three groundballs in the game against the Bulldogs then had another strong performance when Oregon visited Boulder in the season finale. The Encinitas, Calif. native made 10 saves and only allowed two goals in the second half, and held the Ducks' leading scorer, Olivia Pyne to one goal over 60 minutes. This marks the fourth Defensive Player of the Week award for Soenksen this season.
Kiernan provided a boost to the CU offense in both games, scoring eight goals, winning three draw controls and she picked up nine groundballs. The Buffs' midfielder led all-scorers in each contest and tallied four-goals against both the Bulldogs and Ducks on her way to claiming hat tricks eight and nine on the season, which is tied for most on the team. After a solid effort against Fresno State, she played a key role against Oregon. Kiernan sparked CU's attack in the second half, recording three of the team's five goals as the Buffs came from behind and outscored the Ducks 5-2 to earn the No. 4 seed in the conference tournament. For Kiernan, it is her second Player of the Week honor, also earning the Offensive title earlier in the season.
The Buffs face San Diego State on Thursday, April 30 at 7 p.m. MDT in the quarterfinals of the MPSF tournament, which will be played at the University of Denver's Peter Barton Stadium.