Sam Thacker Named National Co-Defensive Player of the Week
Story Links
DENVER – Senior Sam Thacker of the University of Denver women’s lacrosse team has been named the IWLCA National Co-Defensive Player of the Week, the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association announced on Tuesday.
Thacker helped lead DU’s defense last Saturday against then-No. 24 Marquette, holding the nation’s third-ranked scoring offense to its lowest output of the season and a single-digit goal total for the first time this year. The Pioneers won 12-5 to complete an undefeated regular season and capture their fourth-straight Big East regular-season championship.
The Lutherville, Maryland, native tied a career high in the game versus the Golden Eagles with six caused turnovers, which were also tied for the seventh-most in a contest in program history. Thacker also added five ground balls and three draw controls in the contest.
This is the third time this season that the Pioneers have garnered IWLCA national player of the week awards, as senior Julia Gilbert was named Co-Offensive Player of the Week on March 7 and Bryn McCaughey earned defensive honors on March 21.
Overall, Denver has now earned eight such national weekly awards from the IWLCA, with Thacker having the most with three accolades. She was twice named Defensive Player of the Week last season on March 8, 2022 and March 15, 2022.
Thacker leads Denver with 45 caused turnovers, is second with 43 ground balls and is tied for third with 29 draw controls. She is one of three players in the nation with more than 40 caused turnovers, 40 ground balls and 25 draw controls.
Vermont’s Carolyn Carrera was also named Co-Defensive Player of the Week after having six caused turnovers in a win over UMass Lowell to give 56 on the season to break the program and American East Conference record.
UP NEXT: The Pioneers begin postseason play on Friday as they face the Villanova Wildcats in the Big East Tournament Semifinals at 2 p.m. MT in Storrs, Connecticut. The conference championship game is set for Sunday at 10 a.m. MT in Storrs.
Visit DenverPioneers.com for complete coverage of all 18 of DU’s NCAA Division I sports
Like Denver Pioneers and Denver Women’s Lacrosse on Facebook
Follow @DU_Pioneers and @DU_WLAX on Twitter
Follow @DenverPioneers and @DU_WLAX on Instagram
