Student-Athletes of the Week (3/14)
MAAC Sports
A.J. English
Basketball, Senior, Guard, 6'4", Wilmington, DE / St. Thomas More (CT) / Appoquinimink
Senior A.J. English capped off his Iona College men’s basketball MAAC playing career in remarkable fashion, acting as the catalyst for the Maroon & Gold’s ninth conference title, and 11th NCAA Tournament Appearance.
English was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Championship Tournament. In the championship game against the top-seeded Monmouth Hawks, the All-MAAC First Team Selection led five double-digit Maroon & Gold scorers with 19 points while recording five assists and two steals.
The senior Wilmington, DE native is adding to her personal accolades by being named a finalest for the 2016 Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award. English is a finalist among Garyson Allen of Duke, Buddy Hield of Oklahoma, Josh Hart of Villanova, and Malcolm Brogdon of Virginia.
The Gaels earned a 13 seed in the NCAA Tournament, and will be facing off against the No. 4 seeded Iowa State Cyclones on Thursday, March 17 at 2 PM.
Riley Hellstein
Lacrosse, Junior, Midfielder, 5'7", Feeding Hills, Mass. / Agawam
The midfielder was named the MAAC Player of the Week last week for her outstanding play on the field. Over the span of two games, she scored thirteen goals and added three assists for a total of sixteen points. The junior also recorded eight draw controls, three ground balls, and two caused turnovers. Hellstein is Fairfield’s leader with 31 points, 28 goals, and 29 draw controls this season. Hellstein also ranks in the top 20 in the nation in six different statistical categories including goals, goals per game, free position goals per game, points, points per game, and draw controls per game. The junior communication major was also named to the MAAC All-Academic Team as a sophomore.