VT’s Smith Earns Warrior Player of Week
(Photo by Maddy Djuric)
ATLANTA – After quarterbacking his top-ranked team to a pair of Top 15 victories, Virginia Tech senior attackman Aidan Smith has been named the MCLA Division I Warrior Player of the Week for the period ending Feb. 18.
The Hokies opened the weekend with a tester against No. 8 Florida in Blacksburg. Thanks to the playmaking ability of the Potomac, Va., product, who finished with two goals and four assists, Virginia Tech cruised to a 16-7 triumph.
Northeastern, which was fresh off an upset of No. 2 Liberty on Saturday, came calling on Sunday and again Smith was instrumental in Tech’s success. He scored a goal and set up five others, helping the Hokies overwhelm the Huskies, 18-8.
For the weekend, Smith amassed three goals and nine assists for 12 points.
“We faced a challenging slate of games this weekend and Aidan was up to the challenge,” said Virginia Tech coach Panchito Ojeda. “He not only was outstanding in the points column, but his relentless ride and groundball play lead to countless additional offensive opportunities. It was an excellent job by our senior captain.”
For his efforts earning the Warrior Player of the Week, Smith will receive a Warrior Burn XP2-O – a $120 value. Warrior is a proud sponsor of the MCLA.
Warrior Honor Roll
Matt Decker, Jr. – Arizona State
The middie out of Novato, Calif., was a handful in the Sun Devils win over No. 17 Cal Poly, tallying five goals in the 14-9 victory.
Nate Fredericks, Fr. – California
The rookie out of Oakland opened the weekend with a hat trick against No. 3 Chapman before dropping eight in a win over USC.
Jose Martinez, Soph. – Clemson
In wins over NC State and Miami (Ohio), the Raleigh native combined to go 34-for-43 (79.1%) from the dot with 15 GBs and two points.
Connor Rice, Soph. – James Madison
Thanks to a hat trick and a dime from the Williamsburg, Va., product, the Dukes upended No. 5 Georgia. He tacked on four more goals beating Pitt.
Jonah Rogers, Soph. – Arizona
The attackman out of Austin posted four goals and a staggering 11 helpers on the weekend, helping the Wildcats down USC and Oregon State.
Ryan Sanders, Soph. – Cal Poly
The attackman out of Alamo, Calif., combined for eight goals and three assists, helping the Mustangs split on their trip to Phoenix.
Griffin Trail, Sr. – Temple
The long-stick middie out of Doylestown, Pa., was all over the field in a 2-1 road trip to Florida, racking up 18 ground balls, a goal and an assists for the Owls.