IRVING, Texas – The American Athletic Conference has announced the winners of its weekly women’s lacrosse honors for the week-ending February 20.
 
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE ATTACK PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Danielle Pavinelli • So. • Florida • Northport, N.Y.
Pavinelli scored six goals with two assists to figure in eight of Florida’s 11 goals in a 15-11 setback to No. 2 North Carolina. She added a ground ball and two caused turnovers against the Tar Heels. Pavinelli leads Florida in scoring with 10 goals, four assists and 14 points on the young season.
 
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE MIDFIELDER OF THE WEEK
Quinn Nicolai • Gr. • Temple • Moorestown, N.J.
Nicolai had 12 goals and an assist with seven ground balls, two draw controls and two caused turnovers in Temple’s 2-0 week. She scored five goals with an assist in a 12-7 win against Villanova and added a career-high seven goals in a 15-11 win against Saint Joseph’s. Nicolai leads The American with 15 goals through three games.
 
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Melissa Hawkins • D • Gr. • Vanderbilt • Bridgewater, N.J.
Hawkins led Vanderbilt to a 14-12 win against No. 12 Notre Dame as she led a Commodore defense that limited the Fighting Irish to five second-half goals. Hawkins had three caused turnovers and a game-high four ground balls, leading the team in both categories. She had two caused turnovers in the second half to help Vanderbilt protect a slim lead and finished the week as The American’s leader in caused turnovers (3.0 per game).
 
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Leah Bestany • A • Fr. • East Carolina • Bethpage, N.Y.
Bestany had four goals and an assist in two games to help East Carolina to its first 3-0 start in program history. She had her first career hat trick in a 17-7 win against Winthrop and added a goal and an assist in a 20-3 win against Presbyterian. 
 
 
HONOR ROLL
Kylie Nause • A • Sr. • Cincinnati • Phoenix, Md.
Had six goals in two games, registering her second and third consecutive games with a hat trick.
 
Alexandra Giacolone • D • So. • East Carolina • Manorville, N.Y.
Had eight ground balls and four caused turnovers in a 2-0 week.
 
Frances Kimel • A • Jr. • East Carolina • Durham, N.C.
Scored four goals with an assist to go with a ground ball and four draw controls in a 16-5 win against Army.
 
Lilly Siskind • A • Sr. • Old Dominion • West Chester, Pa.
Scored eight goals with five assists in a 1-1 week. Had four goals and four assists in a 20-11 win against Radford.
 
Ellie Hilsabeck • M • So. • Vanderbilt • Hingham, Mass.
Scored a team-high four goals in a 14-12 win against No. 12 Notre Dame.