ATLANTA – After guiding South Carolina to a victory over the top-ranked team in the country, Gamecock junior pole Theodore Russell is the MCLA Division I Warrior Player of the Week for the period ending March 19.

Hosting No. 1 Virginia Tech on Saturday, defending national champion South Carolina was looking for a bounce after a seven-game losing skid and they got it thanks to the close defender from Alexandria, Va.

Manning up against one of the most dynamic attackman in the country – Virginia Tech’s Aidan Smith – Russell put the clamps on, holding Smith to just one assist as the Gamecocks pulled the 14-10 stunner.

The captain finished with five caused turnovers and six ground balls. He also chipped in an assist in the triumph.

“Teddy is a captain on and off the field for this team,” said South Carolina coach Peter Candela. “His passion for the game shows in practice. He helps coach other players on defense when he is not in and his performance on the field is just as spectacular.

“Every game Teddy gets the best opposing attackman and most of the time Teddy comes out on top.”

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

Warrior Honor Roll

Preston Burbidge, Sr. – Utah Valley
The Wolverines went 1-1 over the weekend thanks to five goals and seven dimes from the Salt Lake City middie.

Rory Cavanaugh, Fr. – Georgia
The Marietta, Ga., rookie rolled up 11 goals along with a dime in a sweep of Pitt and Florida State.

Trystan Goette, Jr. – Missouri
One of the D-I leaders in points this season, the St. Louis product dropped a hat trick along with two helpers on Michigan State.

Keaton Mohs, Jr. – Liberty
The Lakeville, Minn., middie led the Flames to a huge Utah sweep by posting five goals and three assists for the Flames.

Xander Murray Osborn, Fr. – Cal Poly
The Mustangs won a huge matchup with Cal thanks to three goals and a dime from the Santa Barbara product.

Cade Poe, Jr. – Concordia
In a split weekend for the Eagles, the Los Alamitos faceoff man dominated. He won 36 of 40 draws (90.0 percent) in two games.

Patrick Reilly, Sr. – South Carolina
The Garden City, N.Y., attackman dropped four goals and three assists on No. 1 Virginia Tech in the Gamecocks upset.

Braden Rome, Soph. – Arizona State
The Sun Devils posted a 1-1 weekend, including a big win over No. 7 Concordia, thanks to the Novato, Calif., product who combined for 10 points.

Grant Silva, Sr. – Boise State
The El Dorado Hills, Calif., attackman dropped five goals and three dimes in a weekend sweep of Oregon State and Sonoma State.