WASHINGTON -- The Atlantic 10 Conference recognized the Massachusetts duo of junior Aiden Drunsic and freshman Owen Salanger as the Offensive Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week, the conference announced Monday. Saint Joseph's junior Tommy Gross was selected as the Defensive Player of the Week for the third time in the past four weeks. The awards, announced Monday are for games played between March 10-16.
Drunsic scored a career-high four goals against Rutgers, including three in the second half which saw UMass outscore the Scarlet Knights 7-1 in the 11-7 come-from-behind victory, the squad’s sixth straight win. The Exeter, N.H. native shot 50-percent.
Gross produced a career-high 18 saves in the 12-8 win over Villanova, earning a .629 save percentage. The Silver Spring, Md. native has recorded 10+ saves in each of the last four games, averaging 15.5 saves per game over the span. This is the third time in the last four weeks Gross has been named the Defensive Player of the Week, also securing the award on February 24 and March 3.
Salanger made 13 saves and picked up sixth straight win to move to 6-0 in the cage for UMass with an 11-7 win over Rutgers. The Liverpool, N.Y. native secured a 7.00 GAA and a .650 save percentage for the week, while also collecting two ground balls.