Taylor Thornton was named the ALC Defensive Player of the Week, becoming the second Wildcat in two weeks to receive that honor.Taylor Thornton was named the ALC Defensive Player of the Week, becoming the second Wildcat in two weeks to receive that honor.

Wildcats Rake In ALC Offensive, Defensive Player of the Week Honors

Feb. 28, 2011

EVANSTON, Ill. -- On the heels of road victories over No. 3 North Carolina and No. 11 Vanderbilt, the American Lacrosse Conference announced Monday that Shannon Smith has been named the league's Offensive Player of the Week while Taylor Thornton earned the same honor on the defensive side of the ball.

Smith finished the week with six goals and three assists as the 'Cats defeated No. 3 UNC in overtime before downing ALC-rival Vanderbilt 17-6 in Nashville. Smith had four goals in the victory over UNC and scored twice while assisting on three other goals in the win over the Commodores.

Meanwhile, Thornton held two All-Americans scoreless in the two victories, keeping North Carolina's Corey Donohoe and Vanderbilt's Ally Carey out of the cage while scoring a goal in each game herself. That included the game-winner in overtime in Chapel Hill with 15 seconds remaining in the extra session. The sophomore added four ground balls, three caused turnovers and a pair of draw controls in the wins.

No. 2 Northwestern is set to hit the road for two final away contests before hosting its home opener, heading back to the East coast this weekend to face Navy on Thursday and No. 7 Georgetown on Saturday.

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