Mallory Schonk showed no signs of a sophomore slump and started the first two games of the 2014 season on a torrid pace.
On Tuesday, the American Lacrosse Conference took notice when announcing its first weekly honors of the season.
Schonk was named the ALC’s Offensive Player of the Week after she scored six goals and dished out five assists to total 11 points in two games last week. This is the first such honor for Schonk and the first by a Vanderbilt player since Kacie Connors earned offensive player of the week honors on April 3, 2012.
Schonk, a native of Perry Hall, Md., picked up right where she left off after scoring 25 goals (third-most on the team) and recording 10 assists in 2013 as a freshman. In the season opener on Friday at Kennesaw State, she scored two goals and set a career-high with five assists – breaking her previous high of two – in a 20-5 victory.
She blistered No. 13 Massachusetts with four goals, tying a career high, two days later in a 13-6 loss at the Vanderbilt Lacrosse Complex. She scored four consecutive goals, including three straight in the first half to erase a 4-1 deficit. In two games, Schonk has yet to miss, converting all six shots.
Northwestern’s Bridget Bianco garnered Defensive Player of the Week honors while Florida’s Sammi Burgess was named the Rookie of the Week.
Vanderbilt (1-1) returns to action at 1 p.m. on Saturday when it hosts Liberty (0-1).
Schonk is the granddaughter of Ed and Deloris McDonald of Parsons and also Barbara Schonk of Philippi. Her parents are Ed and Teresa McDonald Schonk of Perry Hall, MD. The ALC (American Lacrosse Conference) consists of Northwestern, Florida, Penn State, Ohio State, Johns Hopkins, Vanderbilt and Michigan.
Submitted Article