Bruns named ALC’s Offensive Player of the Week

Florida’s Ashley Bruns (Ellicott City, Md) has been named the American Lacrosse Conference’s Offensive Player of the Week for games played from March 14-20. This is Bruns’ fourth ALC Weekly honor of her career and Florida’s third ALC Weekly honor of the season.

Bruns scored three goals off of four shots on goal in Florida’s victory over Colgate on Tuesday evening. She was 1-for-1 from free position and had a caused turnover.

It was her stellar play against Syracuse, however, that made Bruns stand out this week. In the Gators’ victory over the Orange, Bruns scored six goals on seven shots (.857) against No. 11 Syracuse to lead the Gators to victory, 16-11. Bruns was 2-for-2 from free position against Syracuse while tying her and Kitty Cullen (Rockville, Md.)’s shared school record of six goals in a single game.

She also had an assist against the Orange, which was initially a chance to score a program-record seventh goal but saw an open Caroline Chesterman (South Nyack, N.Y.) and hit her in front of the goal. Her superb play when Florida’s leading scorer, Cullen, was being face-guarded in both contests shows how crucial she was in the Gators’ wins this week.

The American Lacrosse Conference also recognized two other student-athletes for their play last week as three different institutions earned honors. Senior goalkeeper Dana Cahill from Penn State was the first Nittany Lion honored in 2011 as she was tabbed the Defensive Player of the Week. Northwestern’s Kelly Rich repeated as ALC Rookie of the Week after helping the Wildcats remain undefeated.

The Gators take on the Fairfield Stags on Wednesday. Opening draw is set for 6:30 p.m. The Stags are 5-3 on the season thus far.

American Lacrosse Conference Player of the Week Honors in Florida History

2010 Season:

Week 2: Brittany Dashiell, Co-Rookie of the Week

Week 3: Ashley Bruns, Rookie of the Week

Week 5: Ashley Bruns, Rookie of the Week

Week 7: Sam Farrell, Defensive Player of the Week; Ashley Bruns, Rookie of the Week

2011 Season:

Week 1: Kitty Cullen, Offensive Player of the Week

Week 4: Sam Farrell, Defensive Player of the Week

Week 5: Ashley Bruns, Offensive Player of the Week