James, Werner earn NEC weekly accolades

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – For their roles on a 1-1 week against a pair of nationally ranked opponents, senior attack Tucker James (Essex Fells, N.J.) and junior goalie James Werner (New Rochelle, N.Y.) have been named the Northeast Conference Player and Defensive Player of the Week, respectively.

James claims the honor for the third time in the season's first four weeks after posting five goals and seven points in the Bulldogs' toughest weeklong stretch of the season. The captain scored a hat trick against No. 19 Boston University Tuesday night on the road, netting a pair of man-up tallies while collecting a season-high five ground balls.

James then went on to post a game-high four points off two goals and two assists in a 9-6 upset over No. 7/6 Yale on the road Sunday afternoon, scoring back-to-back tallies to tie the game at 4-4 and take the Bulldogs' first advantage, 5-4. On the week, he took 23 shots and added six ground balls with two caused turnovers to his impressive offensive production.

Werner earns the first NEC Defensive Player of the Week accolade of his career after making 20 stops against the Terriers and the Bulldogs, tying his career mark with 12 saves in Sunday's victory. On the week, the junior posted a .526 save percentage and impressive 9.00 goals against average while facing 69 shots.

The Bulldogs return to action Friday, when they faceoff against Drexel at 5 p.m. in Philadelphia.