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Syracuse defender Coco Vandiver has been named both the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association and Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Week, the organizations announced Tuesday.
The honor comes after Vandiver’s six caused turnovers and career-high four ground ball pickups in SU’s 14-13 double-overtime win over then-No. 6 Stanford on Friday.
The junior’s presence was felt most in overtime. After forcing a Cardinal giveaway and scooping up a ground ball in the scoreless first period, Vandiver stepped up big again. On Stanford’s first possession of double overtime, Vandiver stripped the ball from the Cardinal’s Maddigan Miller and gave the ball to the Orange. This set up freshman Mileena Cotter’s game-winning goal on the other end.
In her third season with the Orange, Vandiver has been a staple of their defense. With last year’s key contributors Katie Goodale, Hallie Simkins and Bianca Chevarie graduating, Vandiver has led the new-look unit in 2025 alongside Kaci Benoit and Lexi Reber. Though Syracuse has seen mixed success, the Baltimore, Maryland, native leads SU and the ACC in caused turnovers (25) and ranks second on the team with 15 ground balls.
Vandiver’s honor is Syracuse’s second national award of the year after Emma Ward collected Inside Lacrosse’s Co-Player of the Week after her seven-point performance versus then-No. 7 Maryland on Feb. 15. The weekly conference award is SU’s first of the campaign.
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