Bridgewater, NJ - Graduate student defender Ryan Murphy has been selected as the Northeast Conference (NEC) Defensive Player of the Week for her performance against Saint Francis U, announced by the conference on Monday.

Against the Red Flash, Murphy collected a season-high four ground balls, four draw controls, and caused a season-high four turnovers to lead a Seahawks defense that allowed a season-low five goals in an 11-5 victory in Loretto, PA.

On the season, Murphy has collected 21 draw controls, nine ground balls, and caused a team-high seven turnovers. 

The most recent Seahawks to be named the conference's defensive player of the week was Murphy during last year's campaign. 

On March 11, 2024, Murphy first charted two caused turnovers and four draw controls in the two-goal victory against Merrimack. 

Three days later, the Syracuse native stuffed the stat sheet with one goal, 11 draw controls, four ground balls and two more caused turnovers against CCSU on March 13, 2024 to earn her first NEC Defensive Player of the Week honor of her career.

Murphy completed the 2024 season with a single-season record 82 draw controls and was named First Team All-Conference at the conclusion of her senior season.

Along with Murphy, senior midfielder Katie Siverson and sophomore Grace DeCarolis were named conference Prime Performers for their showings against Saint Francis U.

In the win, Siverson scored four goals to bring her season total to a team-high 14 goals. DeCarolis saved 12 shots and collected a season-high four ground balls in her fifth career win as a member of the Seahawks.

Murphy is the first Seahawk to win a major weekly NEC award this season. 

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Next up, Wagner will host LIU on Wednesday, March 26 on Hameline Field. Opening draw control is set for 6:00 pm.