SPARKS, Md. -- After making history in the season opener last week, Christopher Newport women's lacrosse standout Brookelyn Morrison was named the USA Lacrosse National Player of the Week, which was announced by USA Lacrosse Magazine on Tuesday afternoon.

With the award, Morrison became the first player in program history to receive the publication's highest weekly honor. It also marked her second accolade in two days after she was named the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Monday.

Solidifying her spot as one of the nation's most well-rounded contributors, Morrison pieced together a performance for the ages last week. In the season opener against Berry, she filled up the stat sheet while leading the Captains to a 23-2 victory. Although she made an impact all over the field, the Ashburn, Virginia native saved her finest work for the defensive end.

During the win over the Vikings, Morrison tied the single-game school record with eight caused turnovers. That matched the standard originally set by Meagan Pfarr at Averett on March 29, 2003 and equaled by Sally Allstadt against Marymount on April 19, 2006.

Six of her takeaways came in the first half, including three in the first eight minutes of regulation. Blanketing the field, Morrison broke up clear attempts along opposite boundaries on back-to-back rallies in the opening period. Later, she intercepted a pass near the crease and initiated a fast-break, which led to a goal in transition.

In the second quarter, Morrison came back with two more interceptions before picking the pockets of an attacker near the top of the zone at the tail end of the first half. Then, after the break, she knocked the ball away from another Viking near the edge of the arc before polishing off her defensive heroics with a leaping pick on a failed clear near midfield.

Along with her eight takeaways, Morrison also added six ground balls, which was the second-highest total of her career.

Equally impressive in all facets of the game, she chipped in with six draw controls and five points, including three goals. Remarkably efficient on the offensive side, Morrison recorded a hat-trick in the first quarter after scoring on each of her first three shots. She opened the assault with an eight-meter missile before peppering the top right corner of the cage with a pair of rockets later in the stanza.

Putting her versatility into perspective, Morrison became the first Captain in school history to register at least five points, five draws, five ground balls, and five caused turnovers in a single game.

Honored as a first-team Preseason All-American earlier this winter, Morrison has stockpiled awards throughout her time in Newport News. Already a two-time All-American, she is also a three-time All-Conference, All-State, and All-Region performer. Meanwhile, her 128 career caused turnovers stand as the all-time school record, while her 247 draw controls rank second on the program leaderboard.

Morrison and the rest of the Captains will return to action on February 21 when CNU hosts Roanoke at 3 p.m.

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