WOODLAND, Calif. – San Diego State lacrosse midfielder Taylor Sullivan was named Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Defensive Player of the Week on Monday following a pair of strong performances in the Aztecs' home victories over Bucknell and LIU Brooklyn.
With her honor, the SDSU junior garnered the third conference weekly award of her career and the Aztecs' sixth as a team this season.
A native of Annapolis, Md., Sullivan played a significant role in San Diego State's two wins, combining for seven draw controls, five caused turnovers and two ground balls while completing a pair of hat tricks to help the Scarlet and Black wrap up a 5-0 homestand and extend its victory streak to six games overall.
Sullivan opened the week with three goals and one assist in the Aztecs' 20-8 conquest of Bucknell on March 13, adding two ground balls and a pair of caused turnovers. Against the Bison, she converted her lone free position shot during a key 5-0 run in the first half, while her third goal of the contest occurred during another 6-0 blitz in the second half, which provided SDSU an insurmountable 18-6 advantage.
Sullivan's versatility was on full display three days later vs. LIU Brooklyn, when she tallied three additional goals and compiled a career-high seven draw controls while matching her collegiate best with three caused turnovers in the Aztecs' 18-15 triumph. Her first strike against the Blackbirds sparked an 8-2 run, which broke a 3-3 tie and ultimately put SDSU in front for good.
For the season, Sullivan leads the team with 25 goals, which ranks 32nd in the country, while her 12 caused turnovers is also tops on the squad. In addition, the Aztec midfielder is tied for 21st nationally with an average of 1.11 free position goals per game (10 overall).
Sullivan has recorded three or more goals in five different games already this year, compared to just one last season, and has completed four games with multiple caused turnovers and two or more ground balls.'
San Diego State, which is receiving votes in the latest Inside Lacrosse Division I women's media poll, embarks on a six-game road swing this weekend when it ventures to the Buckeye State to battle Cincinnati (March 22) and Ohio State (March 24).