University of Massachusets Athletics
Valentine Named MAC Defensive Player of the Week
April 14, 2026 | Women's Lacrosse
AMHERST, Mass. – Bridget Valentine of the Massachusetts women's lacrosse team was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday for the second time this season following career performances last week. Over the course of two games, Valentine tallied seven groundballs and nine caused turnovers, highlighted by a program-recording tying seven caused turnovers at Eastern Michigan.
The MAC weekly award marks UMass' 10th of the season.
In the 14-4 win over the Eagles Saturday, Valentine had four groundballs and a career-high seven caused turnovers. The caused turnover total was tied for the fifth most by any player in NCAA Division I women's lacrosse this season. It's the most by a UMass player since Audra Tosone also had seven on Apr. 8, 2023 against Duquesne. Valentine was part of a defense that held Eastern Michigan scoreless for the game's final 27:57. The Minutewomen held Eastern Michigan to its lowest goal total of the season and lowest regular-season goal total since 2024. Valentine added three groundballs and two caused turnovers in Tuesday's 20-9 win over Columbia, along with an assist.
Valentine now has multiple caused turnovers in five of the last six games and nine times this season. She leads the team with 31 caused turnovers on the season, which is among the national leaders. The 31 is already 10th in UMass program history as well.
The Minutewomen return to action on Saturday when they travel to Detroit Mercy for a 12 p.m. gametime.
The MAC weekly award marks UMass' 10th of the season.
In the 14-4 win over the Eagles Saturday, Valentine had four groundballs and a career-high seven caused turnovers. The caused turnover total was tied for the fifth most by any player in NCAA Division I women's lacrosse this season. It's the most by a UMass player since Audra Tosone also had seven on Apr. 8, 2023 against Duquesne. Valentine was part of a defense that held Eastern Michigan scoreless for the game's final 27:57. The Minutewomen held Eastern Michigan to its lowest goal total of the season and lowest regular-season goal total since 2024. Valentine added three groundballs and two caused turnovers in Tuesday's 20-9 win over Columbia, along with an assist.
Valentine now has multiple caused turnovers in five of the last six games and nine times this season. She leads the team with 31 caused turnovers on the season, which is among the national leaders. The 31 is already 10th in UMass program history as well.
The Minutewomen return to action on Saturday when they travel to Detroit Mercy for a 12 p.m. gametime.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Lacrosse
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