USILA Division I, II, III Players of the Week for February 16-22
PERRY, N.Y. – The second installment of the first season of USILA National Players of the Week has recognized Endicott sophomore attacker Colin Bannon (Westport, Conn.) as the NCAA Division III North Offensive Player of the Week for his role in a Gulls 15-13 victory over Stevens in their 2015 opener.
Bannon began his sophomore campaign in grand style with a career-high nine points against the Ducks courtesy of four goals a career-high five assists. After scoring two first quarter goals and assisting on another to help Endicott race out to a 6-2 lead, Bannon did his most important damage in the fourth quarter by totaling five points to fend off a furious comeback by Stevens.
Stevens' halftime adjustments paid off as they rattled off six straight goals to start the third quarter and tie the game at 9-9 until Bannon was able to stop the bleeding with an unassisted tally with 1:18 to go in the period. A goal by Stevens' Andrew Scrutchfield knotted the score again at 10-10 before Bannon pushed Endicott ahead again with his fourth and final goal of the game.
The Ducks would respond on a Steven Leahey strike to make it 11-11 with 8:23 remaining in the game but Endicott orchestrated a four-goal run in which all four assists went to Bannon to create separation and guarantee a Gulls win.
In 2014, Bannon was a three-time CCC Rookie of the Week award winner before collecting numerous postseason accolades including CCC Rookie of the Year and All-CCC First Team, NEILA Rookie of the Year, and ECAC Division III New England Rookie of the Year. He turned in a 70-point season as a freshman on 48 goals and 22 assists.
Bannon and the Gulls will be back in action on Wednesday, March 4th at home against NESCAC member Connecticut College. Face-off is at 4:00 p.m. from Endicott Stadium.
