ATLANTA – After leading UC San Diego to a pair of victories, including a Top 10 triumph, Tritons sophomore attackman Austin Ortel is the MCLA Division II Warrior Player of the Week for the period ending April 2.

UC San Diego headed to Henderson, Nev., for a pair of games and it started with a Top 10 clash with No. 8 Utah State. Thanks to two goals and three assists from the Alexandria, Va., product, the Tritons posted an impressive 11-6 win against the Aggies, which previously had not lost a D-II competition.

The following day, UCSD square up with Utah Tech, and thanks to another seven goals and a dime from Ortel, the Tritons won, 15-7.

For the week, Ortel went for nine goals and four assists.

“Austin sets the culture for our team, which is to play for your brothers,” said UC San Diego coach Albert Man. “He just makes the right decision no matter what defense is thrown at him.

“This weekend, AO showed how he can dominate a game on ball, off ball, as a playmaker or as a scorer. It’s awesome to watch his skills and leadership expand before our eyes.”

For his efforts earning the Warrior Player of the Week, Ortel will receive a Warrior EVO QX-O – a $100 value – for his efforts. Warrior is a proud sponsor of the MCLA.

Warrior Honor Roll

Henry Beck, Sr. – Biola
The Eagles posted their first win in four years thanks to seven goals, an assist, 19 GBs and 16-of-22 FO wins from the Independence, Minn., native.

Matt Cesario, Sr. – Dayton
In road wins over App State and UNC-Wilmington, the Glen Ellyn, Ill., middie struck for a pair of hat tricks.

Christian Cucinotta, Jr. – Florida Gulf Coast
The attackman out of Drexel Hill, Pa., dropped 11 goals and a dime in the Eagles sweep of North Florida and Georgia Southern.

Dane Hamilton, Jr. – College of Idaho
The University Place, Wash., FOGO won 16-of-17 faceoffs against UC Davis while adding three goals, three dimes and 14 GBs.

Colin Hunter, Jr. – Florida Atlantic
The Ellicott City, Md., middie dropped four goals and four dimes in a crucial win over Miami on Saturday.

Caden Ladd, Fr. – Grand Valley State
The rookie pole from Clarkston, Mich., put the clamps down on a pair of All-Americans, helping the Lakers post an impressive split weekend.

Devin Sorin, Soph. – Bridgewater State
The combo middie out of Waltham, Mass., went for nine goals, six assists, 26 ground balls and 21-for-26 (80.8%) on faceoffs in a 2-0 weekend.