Photo by: Ben Solomon
Pless and Harryman Earn Big Ten Player of the Week Accolades
Feb 05 | Men's Lacrosse
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – No. 12 Rutgers men's lacrosse opened the season with a 14-8 win over Lafayette, and Tuesday two individuals were rewarded for their performances with Big Ten Player of the Week accolades. Kyle Pless was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week and Connor Harryman was named Big Ten Co-Specialist of the Week.
Pless made his first career start at close defense on Saturday, having spent the first 45 games of his career at long-stick midfield over the first three seasons of his career. The Highlands Ranch, Colo., native caused two turnovers and collected three ground balls. The senior captain and Preseason All-American by Inside Lacrosse covered Lafayette's 2018 leading scorer Conor Walters and held him to zero goals. It was just the second time in the last 16 games that Walters had been held without a goal. This is Pless' second career Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week award, also earning the accolade on March 14, 2017 following five ground balls and two caused turnovers in a win over No. 14 Stony Brook.
Harryman made his Scarlet Knights debut on Saturday with a 22-of-25 performance at the faceoff 'X', collecting 14 ground balls. Both marks represented career-highs for the redshirt senior. The Southlake, Texas, native had the most faceoff wins for a Rutgers player since 2013 and the most ground balls for a Rutgers player since 2014. After the opening week of the season, Harryman leads the nation in faceoff winning percentage and ground balls.
The Scarlet Knights have their first road game this week, as RU heads to St. John's for a 1 p.m. contest on Saturday. Tickets for the 2019 season are on sale through the Rutgers Ticket Office online or by calling 1-866-445-GORU (4678).
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics) and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers men's lacrosse, follow the program and Brecht on Twitter (@RUMLax and @RUlaxCoach) and Facebook. Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on our social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com.
Pless made his first career start at close defense on Saturday, having spent the first 45 games of his career at long-stick midfield over the first three seasons of his career. The Highlands Ranch, Colo., native caused two turnovers and collected three ground balls. The senior captain and Preseason All-American by Inside Lacrosse covered Lafayette's 2018 leading scorer Conor Walters and held him to zero goals. It was just the second time in the last 16 games that Walters had been held without a goal. This is Pless' second career Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week award, also earning the accolade on March 14, 2017 following five ground balls and two caused turnovers in a win over No. 14 Stony Brook.
Harryman made his Scarlet Knights debut on Saturday with a 22-of-25 performance at the faceoff 'X', collecting 14 ground balls. Both marks represented career-highs for the redshirt senior. The Southlake, Texas, native had the most faceoff wins for a Rutgers player since 2013 and the most ground balls for a Rutgers player since 2014. After the opening week of the season, Harryman leads the nation in faceoff winning percentage and ground balls.
The Scarlet Knights have their first road game this week, as RU heads to St. John's for a 1 p.m. contest on Saturday. Tickets for the 2019 season are on sale through the Rutgers Ticket Office online or by calling 1-866-445-GORU (4678).
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics) and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers men's lacrosse, follow the program and Brecht on Twitter (@RUMLax and @RUlaxCoach) and Facebook. Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on our social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com.
Players Mentioned
Faceoff
/ Men's Lacrosse
Defense
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