(Photo by Moe Ammar)

ATLANTA – After leading Grand Valley State to the most impressive three-game weekend sweep of the season, Laker freshman close defender Ben Capone has been tabbed the MCLA Division II Warrior Player of the Week for the period ending April 7.

Squaring off with No. 5 Rhode Island, No. 2 St. Thoms and No. 14 Dayton, the rookie out of Williamston, Mich., was thrust into the fire, but answered every question.

“Rhode Island’s Keegan Reilly is a good as any attackman in the country and Ben held him to one goal through the first 58 minutes of the game,” said Grand Valley State coach Tim Murray. “Against St Thomas, we needed him to take more of a communicator role against a balanced, well-coached offense, and he was able to make real-time adjustments to our slide packages.

“Ben held his matchup to just one goal against Dayton – an unsettled goal – and really helped our unit settle down and extend our lead in the second quarter.”

Capone finished the weekend for the undefeated Lakers with 12 ground balls and 11 caused turnovers.

“Ben’s ability to neutralize the best player on the opposing offense has been critical to Grand Valley’s success thus far,” said Grand Valley State defensive coordinator Peter Plaskey. “This opens All-American Caden Ladd to have free reign on the backside of the defense.

“Ben is not just an excellent on-ball defender. As a freshman, his IQ, passion and leadership are at levels that are uncommon with his age. Ben has found success picking off passes and finding doubles in places most defenders do not see. He is the ultimate team-first defender.”

For his efforts earning the Warrior Player of the Week, Capone will receive a Warrior Burn XP2-D – a $120 value. Warrior is a proud sponsor of the MCLA.

Warrior Honor Roll

Reese Austin, Sr. – William & Mary
In a big matchup with Virginia Tech D-II, the Pittsburgh midfielder posted five goals to lead the way for the Tribe.

Zack Berg, Soph. – North Dakota State
The Bison clinched the top spot in the UMLC West with a win over Duluth, aided by four goals and a helper form the Farmington, Minn., product.

William Grant, Soph. – Georgia Southern
The LSM out of Peachtree City, Ga., had 16 ground balls, four caused turnovers along with an assists in the Eagles win over Elon.

Kolson Huff, Jr. – UNC-Charlotte
The attackman out of Holly Springs, N.C., scored three goals – including the overtime game-winner – in a win over App State. He dished an assist, as well.

Gavin McIntyre, Jr. – Florida Atlantic
The shorty from East Moriches, N.Y., had two goals, two assists, two caused turnovers and four ground balls in the win over Florida Gulf Coast.

Hunter Messina, Fr. – Southern Conn. State
The rookie FOGO out of West Haven, Conn., dropped five goals and a dime on Fitchburg State to lift the Owls to a 10-6 victory.

Keegan Reilly, Sr. – Rhode Island
The attackman out of Cranston, R.I., amassed 13 goals and a dime, leading the Rams to a 2-1 weekend against a trio of ranked teams.

Leo Troje, Jr. – St. John’s
The Johnnies split a pair of games this weekend thanks to the FOGO out of Centerville, Minn., who amassed 26 ground balls, two goals and a dime.

Luke Ventresca, Fr. – Virginia Tech D-II
The middie out of Hamburg, N.Y., guided the Hokies to a pivotal win over William & Mary by burying five goals and dishing out two dimes in the 14-11 victory.

Cooper Williams, Jr. – Utah State
The Aggies rolled past Wyoming thanks to five goals and four assists from the Baltimore attackman. He also added a ground ball.