McKeon, Watkins earn CCC weekly honors
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) has selected Salve Regina University senior midfielder Curtis McKeon (West Haven, Conn.) as its Player of the Week, and freshman goalie Andrew Watkins (Natick, Mass.) as its Defender and Rookie of the Week for men's lacrosse (April 21-27).
Offensive Player of the Week - McKeon led the Seahawks to their first home CCC Tournament victory in seven years. In a 10-8 quarterfinal win over No. 5 seed Wentworth, McKeon tallied three points (2 G, 1 A), 18 ground balls, caused one turnover, and went 18-for-22 (.818) in faceoffs for the No. 4 seeded Seahawks. In the two-goal victory, the senior netted a game-tying goal (6-6) in the third quarter, while also scoring a goal in the fourth to put the Seahawks up by two (9-7). McKeon then dished an assist on the last goal of the game with 1:51 to play, securing the 10-8 win. Earlier in the week, the midfielder netted five goals, earned 16 ground balls, caused one turnover, and went 18-for-20 (.900) in faceoffs in a 14-7 win over Mitchell.
Defensive Player & Rookie of the Week - Watkins earned two wins on the week, including a quarterfinal victory in the CCC Tournament. The rookie made 13 saves in a 10-8 win over Wentworth, producing SRU's first home tournament win in seven years. Earlier in the week, Watkins made seven saves in 56:55 minutes of action, as the Seahawks defeated Mitchell 14-7.
Salve Regina (13-4) returns to CCC playoff action on Wednesday, April 30, when it visits top-seeded Endicott College in Beverly, Mass.