MINNEAPOLIS— Lake Forest College's Cass Barbera was named the Midwest Women's Lacrosse Conference (MWLC) offensive player of the week, while the University of Northwestern's Cara Smith received league defensive player of the week, for events April 18-24 as selected by the league's sports information directors.

Barbera (Sharon, Mass.) recorded her first collegiate hat trick in Lake Forest's 17-4 win over Wartburg Monday. She then eclipsed that goal total with four tallies and added an assist in Saturday's 21-1 victory over Augsburg. Barbera also led her team with six caused turnovers, tied for the team lead with seven ground balls, and added five draw controls over the two games on the week.

Smith (Watertown, Wis.) led the Eagles with seven caused turnovers, seven ground balls, and three draw controls in the 5-4 win over Wartburg Saturday. She leads the MWLC in caused turnovers and is fourth in ground balls.

This is the first career MWLC weekly honor for Barbera, while it is the fifth honor for Smith this season.

The MWLC is comprised of NCAA Division III institutions located throughout the Midwest including Augsburg (Minneapolis), Cornell (Mt. Vernon, Iowa), Hamline (St. Paul, Minn.), Lake Forest (Lake Forest, Ill.), Monmouth (Monmouth, Ill.), Northwestern (St. Paul, Minn.), and Wartburg (Waverly, Iowa).

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