Lacrosse Duo Sweeps America East Weekly Awards

Junior Carter Bender

A pair of University of Hartford men’s lacrosse players swept this week’s America East awards after helping the Hawks grab two wins. Junior Carter Bender claimed Player of the Week honors while freshman Tate Klidonas was deemed the Rookie of the Week. The awards for the week ending March 27 were announced by the conference office on Monday afternoon. 

Bender tallied 12 points in two Hartford wins last week to earn Player of the Week honors for the first time in his career. A junior attack, Bender scored four times and dished out two assists in the Hawks’ 14-8 win over in-state rival Sacred Heart on March 23. He followed that performance with another six-point game, this time tallying two goals and four assists, to lead Hartford in a 13-6 win over Wagner on March 26.

An America East All-Conference First Team pick in 2010, Bender ranks second among league leaders this season in points (28) and assists (13) and is tied for fifth with 15 goals. In addition, Bender has now scored at least one point in each of his 35 games as a collegian and holds the longest scoring streak in the America East and the nation’s fifth longest scoring streak.

Klidonas garnered America East Rookie of the Week accolades after contributing three points and six ground balls in Hartford’s wins during the week. The midfielder netted one goal and added an assist in the Hawks’ win over the Pioneers . Against the Seahawks, Klidonas scored once and collected four ground balls. 

The Hawks, who improved to 6-3 overall after last week’s wins, are off to their best start since 2000, when the program opened the season 8-1.