Leah Burchman Named MASCAC Defensive Player of the Week

WESTFIELD, Mass. –  Westfield State University first-year Leah Burchman (Griswold, Conn. / Norwich Free Academy) was selected as the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference's women's lacrosse defensive player of the week for the week ending April 12.

Burchman anchored a strong defensive effort for the Owls in a 10-8 conference win over Bridgewater State on Saturday.  She recorded five ground balls, and caused a pair of Bears' turnovers in the win, which moved Westfield State to 6-6 overall, but 3-0 in the MASCAC.

For the season, Burchman has started 11 of the Owls' 12 games this season, and has recorded 17 ground balls and 11 caused turnovers.   

Burchman is also a defender on the Owls women's soccer team. She helped Westfield to a 9-6-6 overall record and a 6-0-2 mark in MASCAC play, where the Owls won the conference title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament this past fall.  Burchman registered a goal and an assist during the soccer season.

Burchman and the Owls women's lacrosse team will play at national #5 Amherst on Tuesday – the fourth nationally ranked team Westfield has faced this season.