Photo by: Cos Lymperopoulos
Ryan Splaine Named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week
Mar 31 | Men's Lacrosse
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Following a thrilling comeback victory for Rutgers men's lacrosse over No. 11 Johns Hopkins, Ryan Splaine was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, the conference announced on Tuesday.
For Splaine, it represented the second Big Ten Weekly Award of his career, also being recognized last season for his efforts in the win over No. 2 Maryland. This is the sixth Big Ten weekly award won by the Scarlet Knights this season, by six different players. Splaine is the third different RU player this season to be named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, with Dylan Groff and Joe Juengerkes honored earlier this season.
Splaine held Johns Hopkins' All-American Midfielder Matt Collison to zero goals as RU allowed just eight goals in a double-overtime victory over No. 11 Johns Hopkins. Collison, a three-time All-American, was held without a goal for just the third time in the past two seasons as JHU had a season-low in goals.
It was the seventh time in 10 games that RU held an opponent to single digits and fourth straight game allowing eight or fewer goals. Rutgers also allowed zero goals in the last 22 minutes of the game to ensure victory with a 3-0 closing run.
Splaine was an All-American and all-conference selection last season, and a Preseason All-American this year. For the 2026 season, the Rockville, Md. native has 27 ground balls and 12 caused turnovers. In his career, the Gonzaga College High School product has 136 ground balls and 49 caused turnovers.
With the 9-8, double overtime victory over the Blue Jays, Rutgers had their first ranked win of the season and first multi-overtime win since 2007. The Scarlet Knights are now 8-3 overall and ranked 13th nationally heading into a nationally televised game on Sunday on Big Ten Network at Michigan.
For Splaine, it represented the second Big Ten Weekly Award of his career, also being recognized last season for his efforts in the win over No. 2 Maryland. This is the sixth Big Ten weekly award won by the Scarlet Knights this season, by six different players. Splaine is the third different RU player this season to be named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, with Dylan Groff and Joe Juengerkes honored earlier this season.
Splaine held Johns Hopkins' All-American Midfielder Matt Collison to zero goals as RU allowed just eight goals in a double-overtime victory over No. 11 Johns Hopkins. Collison, a three-time All-American, was held without a goal for just the third time in the past two seasons as JHU had a season-low in goals.
It was the seventh time in 10 games that RU held an opponent to single digits and fourth straight game allowing eight or fewer goals. Rutgers also allowed zero goals in the last 22 minutes of the game to ensure victory with a 3-0 closing run.
Splaine was an All-American and all-conference selection last season, and a Preseason All-American this year. For the 2026 season, the Rockville, Md. native has 27 ground balls and 12 caused turnovers. In his career, the Gonzaga College High School product has 136 ground balls and 49 caused turnovers.
With the 9-8, double overtime victory over the Blue Jays, Rutgers had their first ranked win of the season and first multi-overtime win since 2007. The Scarlet Knights are now 8-3 overall and ranked 13th nationally heading into a nationally televised game on Sunday on Big Ten Network at Michigan.
Players Mentioned
Defense
/ Men's Lacrosse
Midfield
/ Men's Lacrosse
Long-Stick Midfield
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