University of Richmond Athletics
Smith Picks Up Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Week Honor
02/09/2026 | Men's Lacrosse
Richmond, Va. – Senior defenseman Hunter Smith was named the Atlantic 10 Men's Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week after turning in a career-best stats performance in Richmond's 17–7 season-opening win over Robert Morris on Saturday.
One of the nation's elite cover defensemen, Smith's impact is often felt more in the opportunities he erases than the statistics he amasses for himself, as he is routinely tasked with shutting down opponents' top attackmen. While those contributions don't always appear on the stat sheet, Saturday proved an exception. Smith paired his lockdown defense with tangible production, recording a career-high four caused turnovers and doubled his previous career-high in ground balls with eight.
Anchored by Smith, the Spiders' defense limited Robert Morris to just 28 total shots, with only 17 on cage. Richmond was especially dominant during the second and third quarters, holding the Colonials to four shots on goal combined—two in each period.
The Spiders return to action on Saturday, Feb. 14, hosting No. 14 Virginia during Red Out Robins as they look to secure a second straight win against the in-state rival Cavaliers.
