WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – After a strong defensive stand last week, Monmouth University women's lacrosse senior defender Brianna Falco was named the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Defensive Player of the Week on Monday.
 
Falco contributed nine draw controls, five caused turnovers and five ground balls while leading the Hawks to a 2-0 mark last week. 
 
Falco led a defensive unit that held both opponents to under 10 goals, including a second half shutout in the win over Manhattan.
 
She started her week with a strong performance in the 14-3 road win at Manhattan. Falco recorded three draw controls, three ground balls and a caused turnover in the contest. She and the Hawk defense did not allow a goal in the second half of that game and limited Manhattan to just four shots after the 3:42 mark of the second quarter.
 
Falco followed that up with strong performance in the Hawks' 12-9 home win over Columbia. She pulled down a season-high six draw controls in that game and added four caused turnovers and two ground balls.
 
Falco leads the Hawks on the season with 14 caused turnovers. She has recorded a career-high four caused turnovers in a game three times. Falco also leads the team with 19 ground balls on the year.
 
Falco and the Hawks return to action on Wednesday, Mar. 1 when they travel to Wagner for a 6 p.m. game.