COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. — Behind a standout defensive performance last week, senior defender Abby Burkholder has been named the Centennial Conference Women's Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week, the conference announced Tuesday morning.
 
Burkholder led the Bears' defense with nine ground balls and six caused turnovers, helping Ursinus to a perfect 2-0 week with victories over Widener University and Dickinson College. Against Widener on Wednesday, Burkholder recorded a career-high six ground balls and five caused turnovers in a 14-8 comeback victory.
 
On Saturday, Burkholder added three ground balls and one caused turnover in the Bears' 9-5 road win over Dickinson. She helped anchor a defensive effort that allowed just 13 shots on goal, including four in the first half and seven through the first three quarters.
 
The Etters, Pennsylvania, native ranks second in the Centennial Conference this season with 33 ground balls and third with 25 caused turnovers. She has started every game for Ursinus this season and surpassed the 100-career ground ball mark in the win over Widener. This marks Burkholder's second weekly conference award of the season after earning Defensive Player of the Week honors on February 24th.
 
The Bears return to action Wednesday, April 1, when they host Washington College at 4 p.m. at Patterson Field.