May 5, 2009
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - The Penn State Nittany Lion lacrosse team swept the weekly honors given out by the ECAC Lacrosse League after posting a 12-11 double-overtime win at No. 16 Georgetown to close out the 2009 season. Senior goalie Drew Adams (Springfield, Pa.), senior attack Rob Forster (Jenkintown, Pa.), and freshman attack Matthew Mackrides (Newtown Square, Pa.) were each honored in Penn State's final week in the ECAC Lacrosse League.
Adams was named Defensive Player of the Week (along with UMass' Doc Schneider) after closing out an amazing collegiate career by turning back a 54-shot barrage in Penn State's win at GU. Adams collected 19 saves in the game, including two in each extra period, to lead the Nittany Lions to their sixth straight win to close out the 2009 campaign. Adams ends the year with a 7.96 goals against average and 212 saves. The 212 saves is the fourth-most in school history and give Adams 694 career saves, by far the most in Penn State history.
Forster was named Offensive Player of the Week (along with UMass' Tim Balise) after closing his Penn State career with an outstanding five-point effort in the GU win. Forster had four goals and an assist, including the game winner with less than a minute left in the second extra period. Forster ends the season as Penn State's leading scorer with 35 points off 26 goals and nine assists. He leaves PSU with 96 career points.
Mackrides earned his second ECAC Rookie of the Week award after finishing outstanding freshman campaign by scoring a goal and dishing off two assists (including the game winner in overtime) in the road win. Mackrides three-point effort allows him to end the 2009 season with 28 points off 15 goals and a team-best 13 assists.
Penn State ended the 2009 season riding a six game win streak and posted a 9-5 record. The team's 4-3 mark in its final campaign in the ECAC Lacrosse League was good enough for third place. Penn State ended the year ranked No. 16 in the final USILA Coaches Poll. The Nittany Lions will join the Colonial Athletic Association in men's lacrosse in 2010.