Newport News, Va.— George Mason freshman Deanna Balsama earned Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week honors, the conference announced today. This is the second straight week and the seventh time this season she has earned the award.  
 
The Patriots (11-5, 7-1) swept the home series this weekend against Saint Joseph's and George Washington extending their winning streak to four games and keeping Mason in second place in the Atlantic 10 with one game remaining.
 
The Sewell, N.J. native, scored eight goals, dished out five assists and won 17 draw controls in the two wins. She notched a season-high four assists, three goals and won a season-high 10 draw controls in the critical match against Saint Joseph's. The Patriots and the Hawks were tied for second in the conference heading into the match. With the win and a Richmond loss this past weekend, Mason earns second place in the conference.

On Sunday, she tied a season-high five goals for the third time this season and added an assist against #RevRival George Washington. The freshman ignited the offense in the second half against the Colonials as Mason opened the second half on a tear, scoring five straight goals, six unanswered. Balsama scored twice in that stretch and four goals in a four-minute span.

She has a team-leading 47 goals and 18 assists on the season. 
 
The Patriots finish the 2019 regular season at VCU, Saturday, April 20 at 1 p.m.
 
George Mason is hosting the Atlantic 10 Lacrosse Championship April 25-28 at George Mason Stadium.