Anderson's Rodgers Named USA Lacrosse Magazine DII National Player of the Week
ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com)- Matthew Rodgers of the Anderson University men's lacrosse team has been named the USA Lacrosse Magazine Division II National Player of the Week, announced on Tuesday (Feb. 14).
Rodgers, a freshman from Carmel, Indiana, scored eight goals in the team's win over No.14 nationally ranked Florida Southern, followed by two more scores in the victory over Embry-Riddle. These efforts also earned him South Atlantic Conference Varsity Gems Men's Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week, along with teammates Peyton Jefferson (defensive) and Cam Weeks (specialist).
The Trojans were ranked 14th in the USA Lacrosse Magazine National Poll, and 15th in the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) poll announced on Monday (Feb. 13).
"We are happy to earn this recognition," said coach Albert Mitchell. "However, we must stay focused on the upcoming challenges ahead."
This marks the second time in program history Anderson has cracked the national polls. The Trojans are coming off two impressive road wins over the weekend, defeating then ranked No.14 Florida Southern and Embry-Riddle. Anderson opened the season with a 32-12 win over Chowan, scoring the most goals in a single game in program history.
From USA Lacrosse Magazine:
Anderson is one of the hottest Division II men's teams in the country, going from unranked to No. 14 in yesterday's Nike/USA Lacrosse Top 20 update. Matthew Rodgers, a freshman, was critical to Anderson's upset of Florida Southern, notching eight goals and one assist in the contest. Then, in a win over Embry-Riddle, Rodgers scored two more goals.
And not that his performance on February 4 bumps his accolades for this week, but he dropped 11 goals on Chowan in a 32-goal outburst.
Not bad for a freshman.