Garner, McNamara Are Players of Month
SPARKS, Md. – After leading their teams in March with outstanding performances, Chapman’s Dylan Garner and Minn.-Duluth’s Scott McNamara have been named the US Lacrosse MCLA Players of the Month.
From his attack position, Garner led Chapman to a 6-0 March that vaulted the Panthers to the No. 1 position in the Under Armour MCLA Division I Weekly Coaches Poll.
Garner scored 17 goals and dished out 12 assists during the month (4.83 ppg), which included four victories over nationally ranked teams, including three in the Top 10.
The Portland, Ore., product dropped seven points (4g, 3a) on No. 3 Colorado, three on No. 10 Virginia Tech (2g, 1a) and six (2g, 4a) on No. 8 Concordia-Irvine.
“Dylan is having another great season,” said Chapman coach Dallas Hartley. “He always draws the other team’s best pole and often times he draws much more attention than that. He is finding multiple ways to get on the scoreboard this season with better off-ball play and using his feeding abilities. His play has made the play of everyone else better and that allows us to be well rounded as an offensive group."
McNamara guided the Bulldogs to a 6-1 month and a No. 3 ranking thanks to an epic offensive output from attack. The Apple Valley, Minn., native scored 29 goals and dished out 28 assists for 57 points (8.14 ppg).
Six of Duluth’s seven opponents were nationally ranked, including three in the Top 10.
“The most impressive part of Scott’s game to me is his inner drive to be great,” said UMD co-coach Ben Blaeser. “He works extremely hard in the weight room and holds himself to a very high standard. He leads by example and there is a reason he is having the type of season he is having."
“Scott has been a great addition to the team this year,” added co-coach Alex McNamara. “As soon as he steps on the field, you can see his determination to succeed. There is no off switch between games or practices. What impresses the most is his drive to continually make this team and his teammates better.”
For their efforts, both Garner and McNamara will receive a one-year membership to US Lacrosse, the national governing body of the sport. Membership includes on-the-field insurance coverage, discounted tickets and apparel, along with a subscription to US Lacrosse Magazine.
US Lacrosse MCLA Monthly Honor Roll
Division I
Jared Blum, Jr. – East Carolina
Drew Duarte, Soph. – UConn
Max Gravenstine, Fr. – Florida
Sam Gregory, Jr. – Liberty
Nick Johnston, Jr. – Oklahoma
Dylan Riley, Sr. – Davenport
Division II
Alex Cunningham, Fr. – Cal State San Marcos
Beau Ecksten, Sr. – Colorado Denver
Sean Mastro, Sr. – Northern Arizona
Jared Pearson, Fr. – Central Conn. State
Jack Rich, Jr. – Appalachian State