NORTHBOROUGH, Mass. -- Continuing to stockpile awards for her work during Christopher Newport's two victories last week,
Brookelyn Morrison was named the IWLCA National Defensive Player of the Week, which was announced by the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association on Tuesday afternoon.
The honor comes just 24 hours after Morrison was celebrated as the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Monday.
Making history with her most recent award, Morrison became the first standout at CNU to be named the IWLCA National Defensive Player of the Week. Previously, two Captains received the nation's highest offensive honor after Kelsey Winters was recognized by the organization on March 16, 2021 and Julia Iapicca was celebrated on February 27, 2024.
Tuesday's award also marks the second national weekly honor received by Morrison this season. Earlier in the year, she was named the USA Lacrosse National Player of the Week on February 17.
During a pair of appearances last week, Morrison led Christopher Newport with eight caused turnovers while adding seven draw controls and six ground balls. She also chipped in on the offensive end with a team-high 10 points, including six goals.
On Wednesday, she opened the week with three takeaways during a 17-9 victory at Shenandoah. All three of her strips came during the first 33 minutes of action as the Captains held onto a slim lead before breaking the game open with a seven-goal spurt in the fourth quarter.
Three days later, Morrison continued her defensive domination with a historic appearance against No. 6 York (Pa.) on Saturday. During the 13-12 triumph over the Spartans, she registered five caused turnovers. That equaled the third-highest total against a nationally-ranked opponent in program history and the second-most against a top-10 foe.
Pushing back against the high-powered York attack, Morrison recorded four of her takeaways in the second half. Among her late-game heroics, she came down with a leaping interception along the crease in the third quarter before tying up an attacker on the interior during a late push in the fourth frame. Then, in the waning moments of regulation, she pieced together one of the finest defensive stands of the season.
With less than 90 seconds left on the clock, Morrison stonewalled a Spartan at the top of the zone and knocked the ball loose for a brief moment. After the attacker regained control of the bouncer, she attempted to spin by Morrison in the right wing, but the senior All-American stayed with the play, dropped her opponent to the turf, and wrenched the ball free again, which helped put an end to York's comeback bid.
In addition to her work on the back side, Morrison also recorded six points during the win at Shenandoah before adding four more against York (Pa.). Her final goal of the week broke a 6-6 deadlock against the Spartans and handed the Captains a lead they would never relinquish.
Adding one final historic footnote to her work last week, Morrison converted both of her free-position attempts, which stretched her streak to 12 consecutive eight-meter tallies dating back to last year. Not only did that extend the longest active streak in the nation, but it also set a new school record, breaking the previous standard of 11 straight conversions established by CNU Hall of Famer Meaghan Galvin in 2016 and matched by longtime legend Catie Chess from 2017-18.
Overall this season, Morrison ranks 11th in the NCAA with 28 caused turnovers. She also leads the team with 56 draw controls and sits second on the squad with 24 ground balls and 14 assists.
Morrison and the rest of the Captains will return to action on Wednesday when CNU hosts Washington (Md.) at 4 p.m.
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