PITMAN, N.J. – The New Jersey Athletic Conference announced its selections for the first set of weekly awards for the 2021 lacrosse season on Monday. A trio from TCNJ swept the weekly awards after an 18-4 season-opening victory over Cabrini.
 
Erin Jaffe earned her second career weekly award after scoring a career-high seven goals in the win. The senior attack added a pair of assists, four ground balls, and caused a turnover. Her nine points per game currently leads the country and her seven goals per game leads the NJAC and ranks second nationally. Jaffe was named NJAC Offensive Player of the Week.
 
Ali Natalicchio captured her first career weekly award after making seven saves and allowing just four goals in the season-opener. The graduate student also secured a pair of ground balls in the win. Her .636 save percentage leads the NJAC and ranks sixth in the country. Natalicchio earned NJAC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
 
Jillian Westerby won her first career weekly award, stuffing the stat sheet in the Lions' victory. Westerby recorded six draw controls, four ground balls, and caused four turnovers in her first game for TCNJ. The sophomore transfer from Hartford added an assist on the offensive end as well. She was named NJAC Rookie of the Week. For the 2021 lacrosse season, both first- and second-year players are eligible for rookie awards due to the early cancellation of the 2020 season.
 
The Lions moved up one spot to number ten in the most recent IWLCA rankings, also released on Monday afternoon. The team returns to action on Saturday when it travels to fifth-ranked Salisbury.