Florida’s Heim Grabs Warrior Honor

(Photo by Matias Falckenheiner)

ATLANTA – After delivering Florida a dramatic overtime victory against the national runner-up, Gator senior Ethan Heim is the MCLA Division I Warrior Player of the Week for the period ending Feb. 23.

In a matchup that could be a May preview, Florida entertained previous undefeated Utah Valley in Gainesville on Saturday evening. Thanks to Pembroke Pines, Fla., product, the Gators were able to walk away with the 14-13 extra-time triumph.

Heim scored the game-winner in overtime to cap off his hat trick while also gobbling up a pair of crucial ground balls.

“Heimer is a tone-setter for us, and that goes back to when he won our hard hat award as a freshman,” said Florida coach Garrett Hanrahan. “Now he is a senior captain who we lean on for consistent production. He's delivered in a big way thus far, averaging a hat trick per game through our first five contests. Against UVU, he added the ‘clutch’ element to his otherwise expected output.

“His first goal of the game came with two seconds remaining in the first half off a great feed from Dylan Hess. Instead of heading into the half tied up, we now had a lead and some momentum that we carried into a third-quarter run.

“Heim contributed to that run with a timely put-back off a rebound and helped us build enough margin to weather UVU's fourth-quarter flurry. In overtime, we thought Heim had won us the game on a shot that beat the goalie, but the crossbar had something to say about that. Unfazed, Heim stayed ready and got loose on the crease in transition a few minutes later, once again connecting with Hess. That time, he found nothing but net.”

For his efforts earning the Warrior Player of the Week, Heim will receive a Warrior Burn XP2-O – a $120 value. Warrior is a proud sponsor of the MCLA.

Warrior Honor Roll

Logan Aiello, Tennessee
The attackman netted eight goals and set up four more in the wipeout of Auburn.

Kevin Carson, Colorado State
In a split weekend in SoCal, the Pennsylvania product combined for seven markers.

Nick Eck, Arizona State
The do-it-all middie had six points (5g, 1a) in the convincing win over Georgia.

Holden Morrison, Clemson
In a sweep of NC State and High Point, Morrison posted eight goals for the Tigers.

Josh Vomund, Chapman
In a 1-1 weekend for the Panthers, Vomund had seven markers along with three dimes.