AJ Bourdon '16 helped the Soaring Eagles to a 2-0 week, with victories over Empire 8 Conference foe Houghton College and Alfred State. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound defenseman finished the week with a total of 20 ground balls, five caused turnovers, and his first career point.
In the 8-6 conference win over the Highlanders on March 30th, Bourdon recorded a game-high eight ground balls and caused a game-high-tying two turnovers, while helping to limit the Houghton offense to six goals. Then in the 15-4 drubbing of Alfred State on April 2nd, the Ile-Bizard, Quebec, native was a loose ball vacuum, hauling in 12 loosies to equal his previous career high. Additionally, Bourdon caused a season-high three turnovers. The fourth-year long pole was a beast off of the draw, collecting eight of his ground balls directly off the faceoff, helping EC win the battle at the X for just the second time this season. On the ensuing faceoff following Elmira's first score, Bourdon gathered the loose ball, carried it into the offensive zone, and fired it to Nevin Olney '18 in front of the crease, earning the first point of his collegiate career with the assist.
Through the first seven games of his senior season, the fourth-year defender leads the Purple and Gold with 49 ground balls and the Empire 8 with an average of 7.00 per game. Additionally, Bourdon ranks sixth in the conference with 1.71 caused turnovers per game.
Bourdon and the men's lacrosse team will continue play inside the Empire 8 with a road trip to Oneonta, NY, to take on the Hawks of Hartwick College on Saturday, April 9th, at 1:00 p.m.
