CollegeLAX MCLA Player of the Week (2/15/08)
Article by Liz Alley
Game Photos by Dave Adams
Evan Pike, the junior attackman for the University of Florida, has been named the first CollegeLAX MCLA Player of the Week of the 2008 season. On Friday, Feb. 8, Pike scored three goals with two assists in a 13-9 victory over the University of Georgia, in a rematch of the 2007 SELC Championship. Against Boston College on Sunday, he tallied two goals and two assists, as the Gators narrowly lost an 8-7 battle against the Eagles.
The youngest captain on the team this year, Pike, according to head coach Ryan Winters, is a balanced player with a “whatever it takes attitude.”
“He has the ability to see the field extremely well,” Winters continued.
Pike was a midfielder last season, but after a conversation with his coach, made the switch to attack over the summer.
“He has increased his game speed and shot accuracy,” Winters said. “I have also seen improvement in his lacrosse IQ—knowing when to slow the game down or speed the game up.”
“I expect Evan to be the field general for the offense,” Winters continued, “specifically, to get a groundball, create an assist or score a goal when we need it most.”
Thus far, Pike is leading the Gators in scoring with six goals and five assists. He has also picked up seven groundballs.
A mechanical engineering major, Pike helps coach a nearby high school team in his spare time.
Florida will travel to the University of Tennessee to take on the Volunteers on Friday, Feb. 15.
For being named the CollegeLAX Player of the Week, Evan wins a prize pack from CollegeLAX.us. Be sure to check back next Friday to see who wins the next CollegeLAX Player of the Week Award! Please read this thread to nominate a deserving MCLA player for next week’s award.
