(Photo by Kevin Schoonover)

ATLANTA – After leading Georgia Tech to a pair of wins, including a triumph over the top team in the country, Yellow Jacket senior midfielder Sam Eck is the MCLA Division I Warrior Player of the Week for the period ending March 5.

Facing off against No. 1 Virginia Tech on Friday night, the Grayson, Ga., product buried all four of his goals in the final quarter, leading the second-ranked Ramblin’ Wreck to a 14-13 upset.

On Sunday, Georgia Tech entertained No. 11 California and Eck struck for six goals and a dime as the Yellow Jackets rolled to a 16-11 victory.

On the weekend, Eck amassed 10 goals along with a dime and nine ground balls.

“Sam is a huge part of our team,” said Georgia Tech coach Ken Lovic. “He's in his second year as a captain and is one of the vocal leaders for our team. We ask him to do a lot and he's never backed down from that challenge, whether it is playing defense, taking faceoff wings or running offense. If anything, we have to hold him back at times to keep him as fresh as possible.

“Sam was instrumental to our success this weekend. He scored goals cutting inside, dodging on the wing and shooting step downs on the backside. He is a well-rounded offensive player, so he has the ability to make the right play no matter what the situation calls for.”

For his efforts earning the Warrior Player of the Week, Eck will receive a Warrior EVO QX-O – a $100 value – for his efforts. Warrior is a proud sponsor of the MCLA.

Warrior Honor Roll

Liam Curtin, Fr. – LSU
In the Tigers’ one-goal victory over Kansas, the LSM from Highland, Md., had three caused turnovers and gobbled up seven ground balls.

Jerett Gaeger, Sr. – West Virginia
The Mountaineers posted wins over James Madison and NC State led by six goals and four dimes from the Charleston, W.V. middie.

Ian Jackson, Soph. – Clemson
The Portsmouth, R.I., product had six goals and two assists on the Tigers’ West Coast swing this weekend.

Max Johnston, Sr. – Temple
The Owls went 2-1 on their Texas trip – including the program’s first ranked victory – thanks to six goals and seven assists from the Coopersburg, Pa., product.

Maxwell Pierce, Gr. – Dominican
The Oakland, Calif., native buried seven goals and set up an eighth, leading the Penguins to a victory over Minnesota.

Connor Rice, Fr. – James Madison
The Williamsburg, Va., attackman totaled 10 goals and a dime in a split weekend with NC State and West Virginia.

Ryan Sanders, Fr. – Cal Poly
The Mustangs stung defending champion South Carolina, 10-9, thanks to four rockets from the Alamo, Calif., attackman.

Ryan Schellin, Sr. – Purdue
In a split weekend for the Boilermakers, the Colts Neck, N.J., product combined for six goals and three assists.

Alex Strain, Gr. – Pittsburgh
The Panthers downed Buffalo and Purdue thanks to seven goals and five dimes from the Upper St. Clair, Pa., native.

Alton Taylor, Soph. – Brigham Young
The Cougars went 3-0 in the desert over the weekend aided by eight goals and five assists from the American Fork, Utah, native.

Dylan Weinberg, Soph. – Florida
The Miami native was instrumental in the Gators’ wins over Western Michigan and TCU, combining for seven goals.

Blake Yates, Fr. – Utah Valley
The Wolverines rolled to wins over Utah and Oregon State thanks to a combined eight goals and six helpers from the Sandy, Utah, product.