BOSTON – University at Albany sophomore defender Jacob Smith has been named the America East Defensive Player of the Week, the conference announced Monday morning. It is Smith's second weekly award of the 2025 season.
 
Smith was part of a lockdown defensive unit for the Great Danes this past Saturday against NJIT, holding the Highlanders to just six goals. Smith scored once in the win, notching his fourth pole goal of the season. He added four ground balls and a caused turnover.
 
The Great Danes now set their sights on the America East Tournament this upcoming week. UAlbany enters this year's tournament as the No. 3 seed, facing off against No. 2 UMBC on Thursday night at 7:00 pm. All games are hosted by the tournament's No. 1 seed, Bryant, in Smithfield, R.I.
 
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