He may have started the year as UNC’s fourth string goalie, but junior Alex Bassil–who started the Tar Heels’ last five games after injuries and other issues to the players ahead of him on the depth chart–was named the ACC Men’s Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week on Monday following a career-best performance this past Saturday.

Bassil made a career-high 14 saves in the Tar Heels’ 10-9 season-ending win over No. 14 Notre Dame, helping the team snap a seven-game losing streak that knocked it out of postseason consideration.

This includes an acrobatic kick save with 10 seconds remaining on a shot from Notre Dame’s Bryan Costabile that sealed up the game’s outcome.

Duke senior attacker Justin Guterding was named the league’s Offensive Player of the Week after scoring six goals and dishing out two assists in his team’s 17-5 win over Marquette.

The Tar Heels (7-7, 1-4 ACC) finished fifth out of five teams in the ACC and thus did not qualify to participate in this week’s ACC Tournament.

 

 

Photo via Jeffrey A. Camarati (UNC Athletics)