William Smith junior defender Janey Sypeck was named the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association Defensive Player of the Week today. Yesterday, she was named the Liberty League's Defensive Performer of the Week.
 
Sypeck, who has been named the Liberty League's Defensive Performer of the Week four times, was recognized by the IWLCA for the first time this season. This is the second straight week that a Heron has won the award.
 
Sypeck anchored the Herons' defense to a 10-5 victory over then No. 6 Washington and Lee on Saturday. She had four caused turnovers and three ground balls in the win. Three of those caused turnovers came in the first quarter as William Smith shut out the Generals and held them to just two shots in the opening 15 minutes. Sypeck and the Herons' defense limited a potent Washington and Lee offense to a season-low five goals and 15 shots in the game. The Generals came into the contest averaging 15.13 goals per game and 30 shots per game.
 
Sypeck has started all 15 games she's played in this season. She leads the team with 40 caused turnovers and 37 ground balls. Sypeck has had four or more caused turnovers in a game seven times. She leads the Liberty League and is 35th in the nation in caused turnovers per game (2.67).
 
Sypeck and the Herons' defense enter the Liberty League tournament 20th in the nation in scoring defense (6.76). They have only allowed double-digit goals in three games this season.
 
William Smith (15-2) is ranked sixth in this week's IWLCA Poll. The Herons, who won the Liberty League regular season title, have a first-round bye in the league tournament and will face the winner of Rochester and St. Lawrence on Friday, May 1, at 4 p.m. at Urick Stadium.