Veteran defensemen Kyle Sweeney has been named Warrior Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in Chesapeake’s victory over Florida on Saturday night. This season, the Bayhawks will also be naming a Defensive Player of the Game, awarded by Mallary Carpet and Flooring. Sweeney took this title as well, for his dominant performance in Saturday’s home opener.
Sweeney took on the challenge of covering legendary attackman Casey Powell and limited him to three assists as the Bayhawks beat the Launch, 12-8, at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. Powell, a multi-time Major League Lacrosse Most Valuable Player, had rung up seven points on four goals and three assists in the season opener.
“Kyle had a tough assignment in covering one of the best attackmen in the game and he rose to the occasion,” Chesapeake Head Coach Brian Reese said. “Kyle played great individual and team defense. Our whole defensive unit played well including our goalie. It’s a total team effort to win this award.”
Sweeney is one of the longest-tenured players in Major League Lacrosse, having begun his outdoor professional career with the Philadelphia Barrage in 2004. The former Georgetown University All-American ranks among the all-time leaders in MLL with 451 career ground balls.
This is Sweeney’s second season with the Bayhawks after spending seven years as a stalwart defender for the Boston Cannons. Even at the age of 35, Sweeney has the athleticism and versatility to play either close defense or long stick midfielder as necessary.