BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – For the second time this season, Bridgewater State University junior midfielder Michelle Navoni has been selected as the New England Women’s Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Defensive Player of the Week.

Navoni recorded nine ground balls, eight controlled draws and five caused turnovers to go along with five goals and two assists in a perfect 2-0 NEWLA week as the Bears captured the program’s fifth straight conference regular season title.

The Mansfield, Massachusetts native tallied four ground balls, three draws, two caused turnovers as well as three goals and an assist in a 16-9 NEWLA road win at Salem State, and notched five ground balls, five draws, three caused turnovers, two goals and a helper in a 13-5 conference triumph at Elms

In 16 games for the Bears this season, Navoni has 43 ground balls, 40 draws controls and 20 caused turnovers to her credit as well as 19 goals and eight assists.  She ranks sixth in the NEWLA in caused turnovers and is tied for tenth in ground balls.

Navoni was also named NEWLA Defensive Player of the Week back on April 9th.  In fact, four different members of the BSU women’s lacrosse team have combined to earn the accolade six times this season with sophomore goaltender Victoria Moore (Duxbury, Mass.) also being honored twice.

In 55 games over three seasons at BSU, Navoni has amassed 102 ground balls, 86 draws and 47 caused turnovers.  She has also scored 46 goals and dished out 22 assists for 68 points.

Bridgewater is the top seed in this week’s NEWLA Tournament and will take on fourth seeded Fitchburg State in semifinal play on Wednesday evening at six.  The Bears are vying for their fifth straight conference tournament championship and sixth overall.