CLINTON, S.C. – Bypassing the weekly award consideration reserved for her class and instead claiming an accolade of even greater significance, Lilly Phillips of the Presbyterian College lacrosse team was christened as the Big South Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday afternoon. Selected by league officials, the freshman obtains the second-ever DPOTW by a PC newbie in school history.

A native of Johns Creek, Georgia, Phillips assumed the role of starting keeper for the Blue Hose from day one and has been a pivotal piece in the team's best start through 10 games (5-5) in the 15-year history of the program. The first-year keeper accumulated 18 total saves in conference victories over Wofford and Radford last week, allowing PC their first 2-0 league start since joining the D-I ranks in 2008.

Remaining on the field for over 100 minutes in the aforementioned wins against the Terriers and Highlanders, Phillips was sensational in the Wofford W that stood as the team's first triumph in a Big South opener since 2011. In her debut conference performance, the rookie gathered 11 saves – seven during the first quarter alone – as PC scooped up a 12-8 decision.

Head coach Eric Clakeley's squad stayed red-hot on Saturday in the aftermath of the monumental win, grabbing the school's largest margin of victory in a league affair since an 11-score result over Gardner-Webb six years ago. The 14-5 pummeling over Radford entailed a seven-save effort by Phillips, who was able to rest for the entirety of the 4^th due to the lopsided difference on the scoreboard.

Credited with both W's to give her four on the year, Lilly posted a save percentage of .643 in the weekly Big South sweep, giving PC the distinction of being one of three conference members still perfect in divisional play.

With nearly 500 minutes of work in her repertoire overall, the freshman's defensive contributions have nicely complemented Clakeley's attack that has registered 26 goals over the past two meetings, the highest figure assembled over back-to-back contests in over two seasons. Phillips' recognition is the sixth time in PC's past with a representation as Defensive Player of the Week, the second occasion that the honor falls to a freshman following Abby Edmisten's nod in 2020.

Presbyterian now sets their sights on the most high-profile encounter of the campaign tomorrow evening at Bailey Memorial Stadium, battling a Campbell visitor that boasts the same 2-0 Big South record as the Blue Hose. Searching for the program's first-ever win against the Fighting Camels, opening draw control on Wednesday is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. with a featured broadcast on ESPN+.