UCSD’s Ortel Takes Warrior Honor

(Photo by Anna Scipione)

ATLANTA – After leading the Tritons to an impressive 3-0 sweep in Idaho over the weekend, UC San Diego senior attackman Austin Ortel is the MCLA Division II Warrior Player of the Week for the period ending March 2.

UC San Diego opened the action on Thursday when the Tritons faced off against host Northwest Nazarene. Thanks to three goals and five assists from the Alexandria, Va., product, UCSD was able to post the 12-11 victory.

Utah State was up next for the Tritons on Friday and thanks to another two goals and three assists from Ortel, UC San Diego notched its second one-goal win, 11-10. UCSD capped off the weekend on Sunday with a 9-6 triumph over Florida Atlantic aided by three goals and three dimes from Ortel.For the trip, he amassed eight goals and 11 assists – good for 6.33 points per game.

“AO is an absolute warrior,” said UC San Diego coach Albert Man. “His competitive fire drives our team, he elevates the play of everyone on the field and he's done this as he has battled through injuries. You can't ask for anything more from a senior captain.

“His game has evolved and it's great to see the command he has of the game now. Prime example was in our second game in Idaho. After being held in check most of the game and trailing by three goals in the fourth quarter against Utah State, AO took over the game by scoring or assisting the next 4 goals to give us the lead.”

For his efforts earning the Warrior Player of the Week, Ortel will receive a Warrior XP2-O – a $120 value. Warrior is a proud sponsor of the MCLA.

Warrior Honor Roll

Jacob Berger, Arkansas
The pole had five caused turnovers and a trio of ground balls against ETBU.

Ethan Gaige, Tampa
Won 13-of-16 faceoffs, including eight in a row in the second half, in a one-goal loss to FGCU.

Jack Guiney, Kennesaw State
Racked up five goals, three dimes, six ground balls and four caused turnovers in split weekend.

Andy Lumelleau, William & Mary
Potted nine goals and dished out an assist in road victory over Davidson.

Gavin McIntyre, Florida Atlantic
The d-mid netted four goals, grabbed 13 ground balls and caused four turnovers in three games.

Hunter Messina, Southern Conn. State
In games against Westfield and Bridgewater, he notched eight goals and a helper.

Max Oshetski, San Jose State
The junior dropped a sawbuck (7g, 3a) on Saint Mary’s along with seven ground balls.