Michelle Navoni Named NEWLA Defensive Player of the Week

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Bridgewater State University junior midfielder Michelle Navoni has been selected as the New England Women’s Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Defensive Player of the Week.

A native of Mansfield, Massachusetts, Navoni recorded seven ground balls, 11 controlled draws and seven caused turnovers to go along with four goals and two assists in a 2-1 week for the Bears which included a pair of NEWLA wins over Framingham State and Becker.

Navoni notched two ground balls, three draws, two caused turnovers and a pair of goals in an 11-7 victory over the Rams, and tallied three ground balls, five draws, two caused turnovers, a goal and two assists in a 15-3 triumph over the Hawks. Navoni added two ground balls, three draws, three caused turnovers and a goal in a non-league setback to Plymouth State.

In ten games this season for the Bears, Navoni has 25 ground balls, 19 controlled draws and ten caused turnovers to her credit as well as six goals and four assists.  She is tied for eighth in the NEWLA in caused turnovers, tied for 11th in ground balls and tied for 16th in draws.

In 49 games over three seasons at BSU, Navoni has amassed 84 ground balls, 65 draws and 37 caused turnovers in addition to 33 goals and 18 assists.  The player of the week honor is the first of her career.

The Bears’ women’s lacrosse team is currently 5-6 on the season and tied for first, along with Westfield State, in the NEWLA standings with a 3-0 conference record.  In upcoming action, Navoni and her teammates will host league rival Worcester State University on Saturday at noon.