Izzy Lahah named ACC Defensive Player of the Week
After grabbing seven ground balls and causing seven turnovers in two wins last week, Syracuse defender Izzy Lahah was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Week. Eli Schwartz | Asst. Photo Editor
Student Press Freedom Day is a reminder of the vital role student journalists play in holding institutions accountable. The money raised between now and March 6 will go directly toward supporting our independent newsroom. Donate today.
Syracuse women’s lacrosse defender Izzy Lahah won ACC Defensive Player of the Week, the conference announced Tuesday. The award comes after she led the Orange with seven ground balls and seven caused turnovers across their last two games.
In Syracuse’s victory over then-No. 13 Loyola seven days ago, Lahah and Co. limited midfielder Mim Suares-Jury — who’d scored 10 goals in her previous four games — to a goose egg. Lahah helped SU hold Loyola scoreless in the third quarter, while its offense cashed in with seven goals. She notched three ground balls and three caused turnovers against the Greyhounds.
In Saturday’s win at Louisville, the junior scooped up four ground balls and forced four turnovers. The first frame was eventful for Lahah, as she nabbed two ground balls and caused a turnover in a 21-second span. She even scored her first-career goal. The North Attleboro, Massachusetts, native helped the Orange finish the contest with its most caused turnovers in a game in seven years.
After only starting two contests throughout the past two years, Lahah has carved a role on SU’s back line. Coco Vandiver and Kaci Benoit were the only expected starters to remain, but following Superia Clark’s departure and uncertainty around Lexi Reber after her season-ending injury, the Orange looked for insurance in Lahah and Mackenzie Salentre. So far, they’ve filled those shoes.
