WORCESTER, Mass. – Three Worcester State University student-athletes were awarded with player of the week accolades for the week of Oct. 5-11 as named by the Massachusetts State Athletic Conference (MASCAC) and the Little East Conference (LEC).
Women’s Cross Country:
Freshman runner, Mia Rogers (North Dighton, Mass.) earned her second MASCAC women’s cross country Rookie of the Week award in result of her performance at this past weekend’s James Early Invitational hosted by Westfield State.
"With each successive meet, Mia continues to ramp up her performance level,” said head coach Gary Jusseaume. “She remains a focused athlete in practice and meets and is a driven runner and fierce competitor."
Rogers was Worcester State’s top finisher as she completed the 5K with a time of 19:23.82 – the second fastest time ever run in this race by a Worcester State freshman (behind Erin Donahue’s 19:08.24 in 2012). She placed 18th out of 409 runners at the race, while the team overall finished 12th out of 39 teams.
"Mia is adjusting and adapting well to college level cross country and the intensity of the competition," said Jusseaume. “I'm not sure she's fazed so much by the competition as she is with planning and executing her personal race strategy through the course of a race."
"I like Mia's overall attitude about training and competing,” said Jusseaume. “She's a terrific athlete to coach. I'm enjoying watching her mature as a freshman athlete."
Field Hockey:
Sophomore midfielder, Hayley Sutherland (Tewksbury, Mass.), was awarded the Defensive Player of the Week as named by the LEC Monday afternoon as she helped pace Worcester State to a 1-1 week, including a huge win over previous LEC-unbeaten Plymouth State.
In the Lancers’ 1-0 victory over the Panthers on Oct. 10, Sutherland preserved the win with a defensive save in the 45th minute of play while also winning many 50/50 balls from the Worcester end of the field. With the win, Worcester State rose to 4-3 in LEC play.
“Hayley is an emerging leader within our program, said head coach Kim Cosenza. “She is an excellent defender and a text book distributor. Hayley wins almost every 50/50 ball that comes her way and was a key element in our win over Plymouth State.”
“She has a knack for the game and is a born leader both in the backfield and on our campus, said Cosenza. “Hayley has exceeded my expectations on numerous occasions and I am looking forward to witnessing her success the rest of this season and in years to come.”
Sutherland is doing well offensively and defensively for the team as she has five points (two goals, one assist) and four defensive saves on the season.
Men’s Soccer:
Freshman forward, Bryan Brasil (Williamsburg, Mass.) was named the men’s soccer Rookie of the Week by the MASCAC Monday afternoon for his offensive performance in this past weeks’ games.
Despite the team’s 1-0 loss against Western New England earlier in the week, the men’s soccer team came back from a two goal deficit and defeated MCLA 3-2 in overtime with the help of Brasil. In the MCLA game he tallied five points on two goals and an assist, including the game-winning goal in overtime.
“Bryan had a great game against MCLA,” said head coach Jason Willis. “In addition to his talent, he is consistently the hardest working player on the field and it has been a lot of fun coaching him.”
Brasil currently leads the team in goals (7), assists (4), and points (18) this season.
MASCAC Weekly Honor Roll
Senior volleyball student-athlete, Jennifer Cabral (Swansea, Mass.), averaged 8.5 kills and 16.25 digs in a 1-3 week for the Lancers while also earning her 1,000th career dig. She had 11 kills and 19 digs in the 3-2 setback to Lasell College and 13 kills and nine digs in the 3-0 win over Becker.
Football player, Shane Gleim (N. Grosvenordale, Conn.) led the team with 15 total tackles, including 10 solo stops, a sack and a pass defended in the Lancers’ 23-0 setback to Fitchburg State.
Women’s soccer player, Alicia Macomber (Stoughton, Mass.) scored two goals in a 1-1 week for the Lancers, including the only goal in the 2-1 setback to Keene State, and then another in the 3-0 win over MCLA.
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