BOSTON, MA (June 23, 2015) — Major League Lacrosse today announced its weekly award winners for Week 10 of the 2015 season, naming the Charlotte Hounds’ Joey Sankey Cascade Rookie of the Week. The Hounds on Saturday snapped their six-game losing streak and ended the New York Lizards’ bid for an undefeated season with a 13-12 victory at Hofstra University’s James M. Shuart Stadium.
“It’s a huge honor to receive this award for the second time this season,” said Sankey. “But at this time it’s definitely more special as it comes after a great team win.”
In addition to Sankey’s honor, the Denver Outlaws’ John Grant Jr. earned Warrior Offensive Player of the Week, the Chesapeake Bayhawks’ Tyler Fiorito Warrior Defensive Player of the Week and Chris Mattes of the Florida Launch was name FOAthlete of the Week, presented by the Faceoff Academy. The winners are chosen by the league’s front office and are based on outstanding in-game achievements.
On Saturday versus the Lizards, Sankey scored two goals and assisted on two others. The attackman’s second goal of the night tied the game at 12 with just under five minutes remaining in regulation. Kevin Cunningham scored the game winner 1:33 later. Sankey has now tallied 22 points in just four MLL appearances this season, and his nine assists lead the Hounds offense.
“It was great to get my first MLL victory, and it came at a time when the team really needed it,” said Sankey. “We’re confident that we are improving as a team and we are building great team chemistry. It has taken us some time as we have had a lot of moving pieces, but it’s starting to click as we try and make a push for the playoffs.”
This is the fourth time this season that a Hounds player has been selected for a weekly award, including the second of the year for Sankey, who also earned Cascade Rookie of the Week honors following his Week 7 debut. Brendan Fowler was named FOAthlete of the Week, Presented by The Faceoff Academy, in Week 1 and Kevin Drew was selected as Warrior Defensive Player of the Week at the conclusion of Week 3.
Sankey and the Hounds (2-7) return home this weekend, welcoming the 5-4 Denver Outlaws to American Legion Memorial Stadium on Saturday, June 27. Faceoff is scheduled for 7:00pm ET, following the Hounds’ Second Annual Zero-K event benefitting the Isabella Santos Foundation. Tickets are available through Eventbrite, Ticketmaster and charlottehounds.com/tickets.
