Following career day, Pierce honored by P.L.
11/23/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh senior linebacker Al Pierce was named the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week on Monday following his performance in the Mountain Hawks’ 27-21 overtime victory against archrival Lafayette this past weekend. Pierce totaled a game-high 12 tackles versus the Leopards and also picked off a pass in overtime to send Lehigh to victory. This is Pierce’s first career award from the Patriot League.
Pierce closed out his 2009 season in fashion with a career-high 12 tackles, including one-for-loss. The New Jersey native also provided the highlight of the season when he dropped back into pass coverage and picked off a Leopards pass that ended the game and lifted the Brown and White to an exhilarating 27-21 victory over its rivals.
For the season Pierce, who missed several games due to injury, finished with 35 total tackles, 5.5 tackles-for-loss, two sacks and the one interception. Pierce and the Lehigh defense finished the 2009 season ranked second nationally in sacks and 13th in tackles-for-loss.
With its second straight win over the archrival Leopards, Lehigh wrapped up its season with a 4-2 mark in Patriot League games, placing the Mountain Hawks in a three-way tie for second in the league standings.
