Senior defenseman Kevin Ridgway

Kevin Ridgway Named BIG EAST Defensive Player Of The Week

Feb. 28, 2011

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Kevin Ridgway, a senior defenseman on the Notre Dame men’s lacrosse team, on Monday was named the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week. Ridgway and the Fighting Irish defense were key in Sunday’s 6-2 win at Penn State.

The two goals allowed by the Notre Dame defense were the fewest since a 12-2 win over St. John’s during the 2009 season. The Irish defense surrendered just 19 shots, including only 10 on goal, to the Nittany Lions. Ridgway forced a game-high three turnovers.

This was the first career BIG EAST player-of-the-week award for Ridgway. The senior captain was named a first-team preseason All-American by Inside Lacrosse and was selected to the 2011 All-BIG EAST Preseason Team. The Hamilton Nationals selected Ridgway in the third round (18th overall selection) of January’s Major League Lacrosse draft.

Last season, Ridgway received honorable mention All-America honors and he also was named to the NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team. Additionally, he was tabbed as a second-team all-BIG EAST performer.

This is the second straight week that Notre Dame has produced a BIG EAST player of the week. Senior midfielder Zach Brenneman was named the league’s offensive player of the week on Feb. 21.

Syracuse sophomore JoJo Marasco was named this week’s BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week.

The fourth-ranked Fighting Irish (2-0) will open the home portion of their 2011 slate on Sunday versus No. 16 Drexel. Game time is slated for 1:00 p.m. (ET).

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