St. Mary’s College of Maryland sophomore goalkeeper Ty Grove, from Finksburg, Maryland, was named the United East Conference Defensive Player of the Week on April 21, marking his first career award. The recognition highlights Grove’s standout performances in a week where the Seahawks men’s lacrosse team posted a 1-1 record, falling 15-7 to No. 2 Salisbury University on April 15 and securing a 21-1 conference road victory over Bryn Athyn College on April 19.
Grove, a 5-foot-10 goalie, delivered a career-best 20 saves and collected a ground ball in the loss to Salisbury. Against Bryn Athyn, he allowed no goals in the first 30 minutes, making one save to anchor a dominant defensive effort. His contributions helped St. Mary’s overwhelm their conference opponent, showcasing his skill in goal.
In the United East Conference, Grove ranks fourth with an 11.93 goals-against average and sixth with a .462 save percentage, underscoring his consistency. His award adds to St. Mary’s strong presence in the conference’s weekly honors, with teammates Bret Hussey, Jeremy Heath, Joe Szymanski, and Will Hock also recognized earlier in 2025.
The Seahawks, now 8-6, continue their season with a non-conference matchup against the University of Mary Washington, 8-7, in Fredericksburg, Virginia, on April 22 at 6 p.m. The game offers St. Mary’s a chance to build momentum as they face a competitive opponent.
Grove’s recognition is the fifth Defensive Player of the Week award for St. Mary’s this season. Hussey earned the honor on February 17, Heath on February 24 and March 24, Szymanski on March 10, and Hock on April 14. Other conference players honored include Ryan Twist of Penn College (March 3 and 17), Walt Heiser of Penn College (March 31), and Nathan Howe of Rosemont (April 7).
The United East Conference, comprising schools across Maryland, Pennsylvania, and beyond, emphasizes competitive balance and recognizes standout performances weekly. St. Mary’s success in these awards reflects the team’s defensive strength, with Grove’s emergence as a key contributor. His 20-save performance against a nationally ranked Salisbury team highlights his ability to perform under pressure, while his shutout half against Bryn Athyn demonstrates his reliability in conference play.
As the Seahawks prepare for Mary Washington, Grove’s award boosts team morale. St. Mary’s has shown resilience, splitting their recent games against a top-ranked opponent and a conference foe. The upcoming contest will test their defensive prowess, with Grove likely to play a pivotal role in goal.
