University of North Carolina Athletics
Keenan Named Tar Heel Performer Of The Week
April 2, 2012 | Men's Lacrosse
April 2, 2012
R.G. Keenan, a sophomore midfielder from Perry Hall, Md., has been named the Tar Heel Performer of the Week for March 26-April 1, 2012. Keenan was named the Most Valuable Player of the Konica Minolta Big City Classic after winning 18 face-offs in UNC's 13-9 victory over #1-ranked Johns Hopkins, the Tar Heels' first win over a #1 team in 16 years.
A complete list of nominees for this week's award included:
R.G. Keenan
Men's Lacrosse
Sophomore Midfielder
Perry Hall, Md.
R.G. Keenan was named the Most Valuable Player of the Konica Minolta Big City Classic game between UNC and #1-ranked Johns Hopkins. The junior midfielder won 18 of 25 faceoffs and scooped up a game high nine ground balls in the match. The 18 faceoff wins were one short of his career high and marked the sixth time in his career he has won at least 18 in a match. Keenan won 11 of 14 faceoffs in the first half as the Tar Heels built an 8-4 halftime advantage. He also scored his second goal of the season in the first half run. The nine ground balls by Keenan were the second highest total he has had this season, topped only by the 11 he has at Navy. His work at the X helped the Tar Heels dominate possession en route to their first win over a No. 1-ranked team since April 6, 1996 against Virginia.
LAUREN McHALE
Women's Tennis
Junior
Englewood Cliffs, N.J.
Junior Lauren McHale had a perfect week in leading No. 8 North Carolina to a pair of road wins at No. 24 Georgia Tech and No. 23 Clemson. McHale defeated No. 108 Elizabeth Kilborn 7-5, 2-6,6-1 at No. 2 singles to clinch the 4-3 victory over the Yellow Jackets. McHale teamed with Shinann Featherston at No. 1 doubles to defeat No. 17 Josipa Bek and Keri Wong in a marathon match, 9-8 (10), to clinch the doubles point against Clemson and also defeated No. 55 Wong in three sets at the top of the singles lineup,4-6, 6-4, 7-5, to help secure the dual match win over the Tigers. She has won seven of her last eight singles matches and seven straight doubles matches as the Tar Heels have won 11th straight duals overall.
Marcus Holman
Men's Lacrosse
Junior Attackman
altimore, Md.
Marcus Holman had two goals and four assists to lead North Carolina to a 13-9 upset of #1-ranked Johns Hopkins, giving the Tar Heels their first win over a top-ranked team since April 6, 1996 when UNC beat #1 Virginia 19-18. The six points equaled his career high for points in a game set earlier this year against both Navy and Dartmouth and his four assists were one shy of his career high set last week against Dartmouth. With the game tied 4-4 after one quarter, Holman scored two goals and assisted on another in the second quarter to spark a 4-0 scoring run that put the Tar Heels up for good 8-4 at the intermission. After Hopkins pulled within 8-7 entering the fourth quarter, Holman recorded three fourth quarter assists on goals by Nicky Galasso, Jimmy Bitter and Thomas Wood to help the Tar Heels outscore the Blue Jays 5-2 in the final period.
JOSE HERNANDEZ
Men's Tennis
Senior
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Jose Hernandez posted a pair of singles wins and went 1-1 in doubles as the Tar Heels defeated Georgia Tech 4-3 and Clemson 6-1 to improve to 6-1 in the ACC. Hernandez defeated 11th-ranked Kevin King of Georgia Tech in a comeback fashion 6-7, 6-1, 6-2 to clinch a 4-3 win over the Yellow Jackets. Hernandez led the Tar Heels back from the loss of the doubles point to claim the win. He handed King only his third loss of the spring season. On Sunday, Hernandez swept his doubles and singles matches against Clemson. He combined with Joey Burkhardt to clinch the doubles point 8-6 for the Heels and then defeated 66th-ranked Yannick Maden of Clemson in three sets.
TASHA STANLEY
Women's Track and Field
Senior
Temple Hills, Md.
Tasha Stanley finished second in the women's 800 at the annual Raleigh Relays this weekend at NC State. Stanley finished in 2:04.88, just .02 seconds behind first place. She now has the No. 2 time in the NCAA for the season behind Brigitte Mania of Connecticut, who won the event in 2:04.86. Stanley also teamed with fellow seniors Elizabeth Mott, Danielle Brock and Zoey Russel to take fifth in the 4x400 in 3:43.73
SCOTT HOUSTON
Men's Track and Field
Senior
Oak Ridge, N.C.
Scott Houston won the men's pole vault at the Raleigh Relays this weekend, clearing 16-2 3/4 at the meet hosted by NC State. This is Houston's second-straight win for the season, as he also took first at the Wake Forest Open two weeks ago.
Becky Lynch
Women's Lacrosse
Senior
Garden City, N.Y.
Lynch assisted on the game-winning goal in Friday's win over No. 7 Duke, then scored an insurance goal in the closing minutes to ice the 4-2 victory. She also gathered a ground ball against the Blue Devils, then added two goals and a draw control in Sunday's 15-4 win over Virginia Tech.
Sloane Serpe
Women's Lacrosse
Sophomore
North Caldwell, N.J.
Serpe played a big role in Friday's 4-2 Tar Heel win over Duke, marking Blue Devil leading scorer Kerrin Mauer and holding her scoreless, without a shot and with two turnovers. Serpe caused three turnovers and gathered two ground balls against Duke. Two days later against Virginia Tech, Serpe had a draw control and a caused turnover in the Tar Heels' 15-4 win.
