March 20, 2018
Melissa Hawkins started the first seven games of her Commodore career as a defensive midfielder, playing a key role in Vanderbilt’s defensive efforts and transition game.
On Sunday, Hawkins lined up as a defender for the first time as a collegiate player, earning a challenging assignment against sixth-ranked Florida in the conference opener as the Commodores held the Gators to a season-low 11 goals.
The freshman embraced the challenge, earning BIG EAST Freshman of the Week honors on Tuesday following the first round of league games. A Vanderbilt player has been recognized in all six editions of the conference’s weekly awards this season.
Hawkins muscled up against one of the conference’s premier players, holding All-BIG EAST midfielder and Tewaaraton Award Finalist Sydney Pirreca to just one goal and no assists in Vanderbilt’s 11-10 loss. Pirreca was held without a point for the final 55 minutes of play after she scored the game’s first goal, while committing four turnovers for the first time this season.
Vanderbilt head coach Cathy Swezey calls the newcomer from Bridgewater, N.J., one of the best freshmen she’s ever coached in her 21 years leading the Dores.
“Melissa Hawkins is absolutely outstanding,” Vanderbilt head coach Cathy Swezey said. “We knew she was an incredible athlete and we knew she was an incredible defender with outstanding footwork, but this kid is one of the hardest workers I’ve ever coached, and she has become a player who we have a hard time taking off the field. She just affects the game so much.”
Despite the loss, Vanderbilt became the first team to hold Florida under 15 goals this season. Eleven goals marked the Gators’ lowest offensive output in 18 games, dating back to an 18-8 loss to Maryland on March 29, 2017.
The Dores held Florida scoreless for 12 minutes and 29 seconds in the first half after falling behind early, and kept the Gators off the board for the final 17 minutes and 57 seconds of the game to nearly force overtime. Hawkins neutralizing Pirreca propelled both dominant defensive stretches, as Florida’s team leader in assists and second-leading scorer stayed silent.
Hawkins joins attacker Gabrielle Fornia, who was named BIG EAST Freshman of the Week for Week 2 on February 20, becoming the first Commodore duo to win conference freshman/rookie of the week honors in the same season since 2011 when Alyssa Dunlap and Brandi Byner were both named American Lacrosse Conference Rookies of the Week.
The Commodores continue BIG EAST play on Sunday, March 25 at Butler. Opening draw from Indianapolis is at 11 a.m. CT. The Dores return home on Wednesday, March 28 for the team’s final non-conference game of the season against Oregon at 3 p.m.
Vanderbilt’s 2018 BIG EAST Weekly Award Winners:
- Week 6: Melissa Hawkins, BIG EAST Freshman of the Week
- Week 5: Emily Mathewson, BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll
- Week 4: Kayla Peterson, BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll
- Week 3: Julie Blaze, BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll
- Week 2: Gabrielle Fornia, BIG EAST Freshman of the Week
- Week 1: Julie Blaze, BIG EAST Midfielder of the Week