WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Playing the first three quarters in each of a pair of wins on the week and saving 63 percent of the shots he faced has helped first-year goalkeeper Ben Franco (Macungie, Pa./Emmaus) earn his first MAC Freedom Defensive Player of the Week award, the conference office in Annville, Pa., announced on Monday, April 11.
 
Franco, with the help of a strong offensive effort from the Warriors, made six saves in a 16-7 MAC Freedom win over King's College on Wednesday, April 6. He collected two groundballs in the game and allowed just five goals. On Saturday, April 9, Franco posted 13 saves and collected another two groundballs as the Warriors defeated FDU-Florham 12-7 in another MAC Freedom matchup. Franco was relieved with a sub at the start of the fourth quarter for each game.
 
Franco has started all 13 games for the Warriors as a first-year, helping the team to a 6-7 record. Franco ranks third on the team with 38 groundballs with an additional three caused turnovers. In the MAC Freedom, Franco is second in saves percentage (.581) and third in saves per game (13.31).
 
The Warriors return to the field on Wednesday, April 13, when they travel to Wilkes University for a 7 p.m. MAC Freedom matchup in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.