USU’s Williams Takes Warrior Award

(Photo by Lance Wendt)

ATLANTA – After sparking Utah State to a pair of ranked wins in Big Sky Country, Aggies senior attackman Cooper Williams has been named the MCLA Division II Warrior Player of the Week for the period ending March 9.

Utah State started the weekend in Bozeman on Friday night against defending national champion and No. 4 Montana State. Behind six goals and three assists from the Baltimore native, the Aggies were able to hold off a late Bobcat charge and post the 11-10 upset.

On Saturday, USU moved on to Missoula to clash with No. 15 Montana. Williams posted another five goals along with five helpers as the Aggies notched a 16-11 triumph.

For the weekend, Williams amassed 11 goals and eight dimes along with five ground balls and a caused turnover.

“There's not enough that can be said about Coop. He's a generational player; the sort that would thrive no matter where he decided to play college ball,” said Utah State coach Scott Bingham. “He's the complete package: high lacrosse IQ, incredible field vision, insane hands, layers of deception and a finishing ability unlike any I've seen.

“This past weekend in Montana we were shorthanded with members of our coaching staff and several of our players sick and unable to travel. Cooper entirely took over and imposed his will on a pair of top-tier teams.

“As a coach, you plan for big-time offensive threats. You approach each game with an answer to your opposition's biggest weapons. When it comes to Coop, however, all of that preparation doesn't end up mattering very much.

“He's going to make his presence known no matter what you do. All of your plans, all of your supposed matchups to respond, it won't matter when he steps onto the field. He's that good. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Cooper Williams is one of the greatest players to ever wear an Aggie jersey. I'm glad he's on our side.”

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

Warrior Honor Roll

Colin Dobbins, Cal State San Marcos
Buried six goals – include four in the fourth – to lead the Cougs to an upset of D-I TCU.

Ben Dreher, Arkansas
Scored seven goals and set up four others in a clutch divisional win over Drury.

Loy Howard, Northwest Nazarene
Had nine goals and seven assists in clean, three-game sweep of the UMLC.