Wheeling, W. Va. - With the start of conference play, the Wheeling University Women's Lacrosse team (5-5, 2-1) has been flying high with a 2-1 record through their first three games. On Monday, the Mountain East Conference (MEC) announced their weekly Players of the Week, presented by The Healthplan, and the Cardinal Women's Lacrosse team was among those honored. Sophomore goalie Giavonna Perkins was named the MEC's Co-Defensive Player of the Week, sharing the honor with Charleston's Madelyn Hillman.
Perkins led the Cardinals to a 1-1 week against Davis & Elkins, improving her save total each time she took the net. She would finish the week making 25 saves on 64 shots faced to finish with a .391 save percentage across the two games. She started the week off with a winning effort against Davis & Elkins, where she held the Senators to single-digit goals in the effort. She would end up setting a season-high with 11 saves on those 20 shots faced as she helped the Cardinals to a 2-0 start to their conference schedule. On Sunday, the Cardinals would hit the road to face Charleston, and Perkins would help keep the Cardinals in front early. However, a late second half charge from the Golden Eagles would do the Cardinals in, despite another season-best effort from the sophomore. Perkins would end up making 14 saves on 34 shots faced in the effort, finishing with a .412 save percentage to round out the week.
Her biggest effort came in the first half against Charleston as she helped her team to a pair of leads throughout the first half. She faced 16 shots on goal over the first half of play, making seven saves during that time. The Cardinal offense took advantage, holding a 7-6 advantage with 6:16 to go before the half. It continued what has been a strong season for the sophomore since returning from injury to start the season. She currently leads the Cardinal goalkeepers with 81 saves this season on 180 shots faced to put together a .450 save percentage through 10 games played, eight of those started. She is coming off a year in which she was named to the MEC's All-Freshman and is looking to help the Cardinals find their way back to the MEC Tournament once again in 2026.
With Perkins taking home the Player of the Week honors, the Wheeling University Athletics Department has now had 42 student-athletes earn Conference Player of the Week honors this season. She is the second Wheeling Women's Lacrosse player to be honored this season, joining teammate Jovie Noack who was honored back on March 9th. Last week, the Cardinals had four players honored when Baseball players Gavin Millains and Sebastian Khan, Men's Lacrosse player Landen Martin, and Men's Golfer Troy Loughry all being honored.
The Wheeling University Women's Lacrosse team returns to action on Wednesday, April 1st, when they host Frostburg State with Opening Draw at 3 PM.
