MARLBOROUGH, Mass. — Wheaton College (Mass.) women's lacrosse player Gabs Smart (Oakland, Maine) was named the New England Women's & Men's Athletic Conference Women's Lacrosse Defensive Athlete of the Week for the week of March 10-16, it was announced today by the NEWMAC.
The senior tallied 11 goals and three assists for 14 points, while adding nine draw controls, four ground balls and five caused turnovers in three games for the Lyons. Smart was extremely consistent, registering four or more points in every match. The midfielder began the week with a career-high six points on four goals and two assists to go with a draw control in a 14-13 win at Worcester State University on March 10. Smart came back two days later to net four goals in addition to winning a draw, picking up four ground balls and causing four turnovers in an 11-9 win over Johnson & Wales University. The Neuroscience major capped the week with three goals, an assist, a caused turnover and matched her career best with seven draw controls to help Wheaton to a 13-5 win at Clark University on March 15.
For the season, Smart leads Wheaton with 13 goals, while standing second with 16 points, including three assists. A graduate of Messalonskee High School, Smart has been one of the most accurate shooters in the region, connecting on an eye-popping 68.4% (13-19) of her shots. The middie has started all six matches and has been one of the Lyons' top all-around players, leading the squad in both draw controls (19) and caused turnovers (8), while ranking third for Wheaton with 11 ground balls. Smart has caused at least one turnover in four of six matches and registered at least one draw control in every game.
The Maine native has started 58 of 59 contests since her arrival in Norton and has 48 career points, including 31 goals, while picking up 81 ground balls, recording 37 caused turnovers and winning 72 draw controls.
The Lyons have currently won three straight matches and are 3-3 on the season, including 1-0 in league play. Wheaton returns to action on Wednesday, March 19 when it hosts Emmanuel College (Mass.) for a 7:00 p.m. match on Nordin Field.
