NEW HAVEN, Conn. - - Five spring Wilmington University student-athletes were named Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Players of the Week after three teams started their seasons and men's lacrosse nearly pulled the upset over a nationally ranked team.
The women's lacrosse team earned the CACC Rookie of the Week in Campbell Heller and the CACC Defensive Player of the Week in Marisa Swanson while the men's lacrosse team's John Greene repeated as the CACC Defensive Player of the Week. The diamond sports had a pair of outstanding pitching performances over the week as baseball's Ryan Sandberg was named the CACC Pitcher of the Week and softball's Kylee Gunkel was named the CACC Rookie of the Week.
In her collegiate debut, Campbell Heller (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township) led the Wildcats with five goals and two assists in an 18-15 victory over Frostburg State. Three of her goals came in the fourth quarter as the Wildcats came back from a two-goal deficit. She also collected five draws in the win, picking up a caused turnover and adding a ground ball as well.
Women's lacrosse teammate Marisa Swanson (Eden Prairie, Minn./Minnetonka) was named the CACC Defensive Player of the Week after aiding the defense to the 18-15 win over Frostburg State. She forced two turnovers and scooped up one ground ball in the win.
John Greene (Lewisberry, Pa./Red Land) earned his second straight CACC Defensive Player of the Week award on Monday, leading the Wildcats' defense in nearly defeating nationally ranked No. 5 Mercy on Saturday. The sophomore forced two turnovers and scooped up two ground balls in the 8-7 loss to the Mavericks.
On the diamond, Ryan Sandberg (Island Park, N.Y./West Hempstead) started the 2022 season with a shutout win over New Haven, 8-0. He pitched the first six innings, striking out eight batters while not issuing a walk. He scattered five hits in earning the win.
On the softball diamond, freshman pitcher Kylee Gunkel (Highland, Md./Reservoir) tossed a complete game shutout in her collegiate debut, defeating Rollins, 4-0, in the season opener. She struck out three batters while scattering eight hits without issuing a walk.
The Wildcats also had five student-athletes named to the various Honor Rolls this week. Caleb Matthews scored 26 points in men's basketball's win at Goldey-Beacom while baseball's John Mead went 7-for-15 with two doubles and a triple in four games. Miles Crouse scored four goals and added an assist for the men's lacrosse team against Mercy while his teammate Jason Roland made 14 saves in goal. And women's lacrosse sophomore Makenzie Stritzinger collected 14 draws while scoring four goals and an assist for five points.