William Smith junior defender Janey Sypeck was named the Liberty League Women's Lacrosse Defensive Performer of the Week by the league office today. In addition, junior midfielder Katie Grottenthaler was named to the weekly honor roll.
 
Sypeck and Grottenthaler led the Herons to a 2-1 week last week as William Smith improved to 12-2 on the season, 8-0 in Liberty League play. The Herons opened the week with an 18-5 victory over league rival Ithaca. On Saturday, William Smith dispatched Bard 24-2. Yesterday, the Herons dropped a hard-fought 10-6 game with then No. 2 Wesleyan to close out a five-game road trip.
 
Sypeck anchored William Smith's defense, recording eight caused turnovers and nine ground balls on the week. On Wednesday, against the Bombers, Sypeck had four caused turnovers and five ground balls as the Herons limited Ithaca to a season-low five goals and 13 shots. On Sunday against the Cardinals, Sypeck again picked up four caused turnovers and had four ground balls.
 
Sypeck has started all 12 games she's played in this season and has 33 caused turnovers and 32 ground balls to lead William Smith. She has had four or more caused turnovers in a game six times this season and is currently tied for eighth on the Herons' single-season caused turnovers list. This is the third time this season Sypeck has been named the defensive performer of the week.
 
Grottenthaler had six points on six goals and added seven draw controls, two caused turnovers and four ground balls in three games last week. The native of Corning, New York, matched her season high with four goals against Ithaca. She also won five draws as William Smith dominated the draw circle 21-3. Against Bard, Grottenthaler had a goal in limited action. On Sunday, she scored once, had two draw controls, four ground balls and two caused turnovers against Wesleyan. Grottenthaler has started all 13 games she's played in this season, scoring 26 goals.
 
William Smith is ranked seventh in this week's IWLCA poll and eighth in the USA Lacrosse Magazine Poll. The Herons came in at No. 10 in this week's NCAA Power Index. NPI is the formula used to select at-large bids for the NCAA tournament.
 
William Smith will be back in action this weekend when it returns to Geneva for two league games. On Friday, the Herons will take on Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at 4 p.m. It will serve as William Smith's One Love and Morgan's Message game. The following day, the Herons will take on Union on Senior Day at 3 p.m.