McPherson Named National Co-Defensive Player of the Week
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DENVER – Graduate student defender Trinity McPherson of the University of Denver women’s lacrosse team has been named the IWLCA Co-National Defensive Player of the Week, the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association announced on Tuesday.
McPherson helped the Pioneers reach the NCAA Quarterfinals for the second time in program history with wins against Southern California and Albany last weekend in Denver. Undefeated DU (21-0) defeated the USC Trojans 10-7 in the first round before earning an 8-6 victory on Sunday against the Great Danes.
McPherson totaled eight ground balls, six draw controls and five caused turnovers in Denver’s two wins at regionals, and she has helped guide the team’s defense to keeping all 21 opponents to single-digit goal totals this year.
The Baltimore, Maryland, native matched a season high with five ground balls in the victory against the Trojans, which also marked the third-most in an NCAA Tournament game by a Denver player in program history. She also added three caused turnovers, two draw controls and an assist on the eventual game-winning goal by Julia Gilbert in the fourth quarter.
Against the UAlbany Great Danes, McPherson recorded four draw controls, three ground balls and two caused turnovers to help DU advance to the NCAA Elite Eight for the first time since 2019.
McPherson, who was named the IWLCA All-West/Midwest Region First Team, leads the team with 59 ground balls, ranks second with 60 draw controls and third with 36 caused turnovers, and she is one of four players in the NCAA with at least 50 ground balls and 50 draw controls. Her 59 loose balls are the seventh-most in a single season in DU history and seven shy of tying the record, and the defender’s 60 draw controls are tied for the 10th most in school history.
This is McPherson’s first career national weekly award from the IWLCA and the third defensive accolade in as many weeks for the Pioneers as goalkeeper Emelia Bohi was recognized on May 9 and defender Sam Thacker was honored on May 2. Overall, this is DU’s fifth such IWLCA weekly award of 2023, the most in a single season in school history.
Katie Detwiller of Loyola joined McPherson as Co-Defensive Players of the Week after totaling six draw controls, one caused turnover and a goal in two games. Kasey Choma of Notre Dame and Isabella Peterson of James Madison were the National Co-Offensive Players of the Week.
UP NEXT: No. 5 Denver travels to Chapel Hill to take on No. 4 North Carolina in the NCAA Quarterfinals on Thursday at 3 p.m. MT. The game will be nationally televised on ESPNU, and the winner earns a berth into the NCAA Final Four over Memorial Day Weekend.
DENVER NATIONAL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
D Trinity McPherson – Co-Defensive, May 16, 2023
GK Emelia Bohi – Defensive, May 9, 2023
D Sam Thacker – Co-Defensive, May 2, 2023
D Bryn McCaughey – Defensive, March 21, 2023
A Julia Gilbert – Co-Offensive, March 7, 2023
D Sam Thacker – Defensive, March 15, 2022
D Sam Thacker – Defensive, March 8, 2022
D Kailee Lammers – Defensive, March 1, 2022
GK Carson Gregg – Defensive, Feb. 11, 2020
A Elizabeth Behrins – Offensive, April 5, 2017
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