April 15, 2008

Erie, Pa. - Mercyhurst College goalkeeper Jason LaShomb was named Division II Nike/Inside Lacrosse Player of the Week Tuesday. He is the second goalkeeper selected for the award this year and it marks the first time in his career he was chosen for the honor. LaShomb was also named East Coast Conference Goalkeeper of the Week.

LaShomb, who was named second team All-American a year ago, tallied 21 saves in two games last week, including a career-high 17 saves as then-No. 10 Mercyhurst upset then-No. 4 C.W. Post 8-1. He also secured a 13-5 win over Seton Hill with four saves in 30 minutes. LaShomb currently ranks fourth in the country in goals against average (6.23) and sixth in save percentage (.625). He has totaled 90 saves this season and picked up 21 groundballs.

After a slow start, the Mercyhurst men's lacrosse team has won four consecutive games and LaShomb has been critical to that success. The Laker defense has allowed just 18 goals combined in those four contests and just one in the past six quarters (90 minutes) of play. LaShomb has recorded 37 saves in the 225 minutes he has spent between the pipes in those four games.

Prior to the season, Lashomb was named one of Inside Lacrosse's Top Ten Players to Watch from Division II for the upcoming 2008 season. Inside Lacrosse stated in the article that, "As a junior in 2008, Lashomb will be the favorite to take home national Goalie of the Year honors." He has helped Mercyhurst to a 3-1 East Coast Conference record, keeping alive the team's hopes to defend its conference championship.

LaShomb is the second Laker to receive the Division II Nike/Inside Lacrosse Player of the Week award in the past two seasons. Graduate Bryon Lindner received the award a year ago after scoring a school-record eight goals in a win over Molloy.

LaShomb and the Mercyhurst men's lacrosse team will return to Tullio field Wednesday when it hosts Wheeling Jesuit at 4 p.m.