LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – Slippery Rock University defender Nicole Masi was named the Defensive Athlete of the Week in the Western Division when the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference announced its weekly women's lacrosse awards Tuesday.
 
Masi, a senior from Rochester, New York, was recognized for her defensive effort in The Rock's 14-5 win over Gannon last week, where she led the team with season-highs of five caused turnovers and six ground balls.
 
Slippery Rock limited Gannon to just 12 total shots in the game and caused 22 of the Golden Knights' 30 total turnovers. The SRU defense limited Gannon to 7-of-22 on clear attempts.
 
The victory improved SRU to 11-1 overall and 6-0 in the PSAC West, helping to move The Rock up to No. 8 in this week's USA Lacrosse Magazine national poll and No. 13 in the latest IWLCA coaches national poll.  
 
Masi is in the midst of a career-year and has racked up 22 caused turnovers and 25 ground balls this year while committing just one total turnover.
 
Slippery Rock will play a pair of road games in PSAC West action this week, visiting Edinboro today at 4 p.m. and traveling to Indiana (Pa.) Saturday for a noon start.




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