Six Student-Athletes Credited with Player of the Week Awards (Oct. 12-18)

WORCESTER, Mass. – Six Worcester State University student-athletes were awarded with player of the week accolades for the week of Oct. 12-18 as named by the Massachusetts State Athletic Conference (MASCAC) and the Little East Conference (LEC) Monday afternoon.

Women’s Cross Country:

Freshman runner, Mia Rogers (North Dighton, Mass.) earned her third (second consecutive) MASCAC women’s cross country Rookie of the Week award in result of her performance at this past weekend’s 5K Western New England Invitational in Springfield, Mass.

Last week’s ECAC Division III New England Rookie of the week, Rogers, led the team placing 4^th out of 141 runners competing with a finish time of 19:43. This time is the fastest time ever run on this course by a Worcester State runner, besting the previous mark by 12 seconds (Chelsey Peso ’15 at 19:55).

“Despite solid running in each of her races so far this season, Mia has yet to run her best races,” said head coach Gary Jusseaume. “She’s still improving as she works into better shape.”

The Lancers came in 3^rd out of 15 full teams (three partial) in the Western New England meet. The Lancers women’s cross country team will have this upcoming weekend off before they compete in the MASCAC Championships on Saturday, Oct. 31 on their home course, Moore State Park.

“The goal in two weeks is a personal best performance (PR) at the MASCAC Conference Meet – a terrific prep for the NCAA D-III Regional Championship,” said Jusseaume.

Field Hockey:

Sophomore midfielder, Hayley Sutherland (Tewksbury, Mass.), was awarded the Defensive Player of the Week for her second consecutive week, as named by the LEC Monday afternoon.

“It’s not a surprise to me that Hayley earned Defensive player of the week for the second week in a row,” said head coach Kim Cosenza. “She continues to push herself mentally and physically each session and it surely shows in games.”

Sutherland helped pace Worcester State to a 2-0 week that included a league win over Fitchburg State, in which she had an assist, and a non-conference victory over Clark where Sutherland scored the game winning goal on a penalty stroke.

An end-to-end threat, Sutherland anchors the back line while providing offensive support for the Lancers.

“As a coaching staff she impresses us daily and she is emerging as strong leader on and off the field,” said Cosenza. “It is a pleasure to coach Hayley and watch her transform into a great field hockey player.”

Football:

Junior defensive back, Carrick Driscoll (E. Longmeadow, Mass.), was awarded the MASCAC Defensive Player of the week for his defensive tactics in the Lancers’ first win of the season over UMass Dartmouth, 45-32.

“Carrick has really stepped up in the last few games,” said head coach Brien Cullen. “He is a very hard worker and I am very happy that he was given this honor.”

Driscoll finished the game with 10 tackles (six solo), a sack, an interception that led to a touchdown, a forced fumble and fumble recovery that led to a field goal.

Freshman kicker, Noah Hwang (Brooklyn, N.Y.) was awarded the MASCAC Special Teams Player of the week for his performance in the 45-32 win over UMass Dartmouth.

“Noah has come on and given us the stability in the kicking game that we needed,” said Cullen.

Hwang totaled nine points for the Lancers and had a perfect kicking percentage as he went 1-for-1 on field goal attempts (25-yards), and was a perfect 6-for-6 on extra point attempts.

Women’s Soccer:

Senior forward, Alicia Macomober (Stoughton, Mass.) was awarded the women’s soccer Player of the Week award as named by the MASCAC Monday afternoon.

Macomber played a huge part in the team’s 3-1 win over MASCAC rival, Westfield State, in Saturday’s game. She had something to do with every goal as she tallied a goal and two assists for four points against the Owls.

“Alicia is starting to find her form again,” said head coach Kevin Cumberbatch. “This has been huge for our offense at such a critical time in the season.”

Macomber currently leads the team in points with 15 on the season (six goals, three assists).

Freshman midfielder, Tsara Leblanc (Gardner Mass.), was awarded the Rookie of the Week for her act in the Lancers’ 2-0 week, defeating Gordon College and Westfield State.

LeBlanc totaled two goals on the week, including the game-winner in the 3-1 win over Westfield State. She also added another goal in the 3-0 victory over Gordon College. This week she recorded a perfect 1.000 shot percentage.

“Tsara is one of the hardest working players I have ever coached,” said Cumberbatch. “It’s nice to see her efforts rewarded.”

LeBlanc currently leads the team in goals with seven on the season.

MASCAC Weekly Honor Roll

Senior running back, Kemani Jones (Milton, Mass.), totaled 116 yards and three touchdowns in the 45-32 win over UMass Dartmouth. He scored on runs of 3, 16, and 14 yards.

Senior outside hitter, Jennifer Cabral (Swansea, Mass.) averaged nine kills and 10.25 digs in a 2-2 week for the Lancers volleyball team. She had 20 kills and 21 digs in the doubleheader sweep of Mass. Maritime and 13 digs with seven kills in the 3-0 setback to Westfield State.

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