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The University of Utah Athletics
Photo by: Faith Robinson
Utes Take Both ASUN Weekly Awards
2/2/2026 2:00 PM | Lacrosse
Stines selected as Offensive Player of the Week, DiPonio named Defensive Player of the Week
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Following Utah's season-opening win on the road against Delaware on Friday, a pair of Ute lacrosse student-athletes earned Atlantic Sun Conference weekly awards, the league office announced Monday.
Ryan Stines was tabbed as the ASUN Offensive Player of the Week and Nikko DiPonio was selected as the conference's Defensive Player of the Week after the senior duo helped steer Utah to a 16-9 win over the Blue Hens in the first game of the 2026 Division I men's lacrosse season.
Stines, the Preseason ASUN Offensive Player of the Year, paced the Utah offense in Delaware, scoring four goals and adding three assists for a team-high seven points. The senior captain led the Utes with 14 shots, seven of which were on goal. Through the opening weekend of the season, Stines leads the ASUN in points and assists and is tied for second in goals.
This marks the third career weekly honor for Stines, having been named the ASUN Player of the Week once in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
DiPonio, the Preseason ASUN Defensive Player of the Year, spearheaded Utah's defensive effort against the Blue Hens, recording six caused turnovers and six ground balls to go with a long-pole goal. The senior leads the ASUN in caused turnovers and ranks third in ground balls entering the second week of the season.
This also marks the third career weekly award for DiPonio, who has been selected as the ASUN Defensive Player of the Week once in each of the past two seasons.
UP NEXT
Stines, DiPonio and the Utes stay on the road for the second game of the season, taking on No. 11 Duke at Freeman Field at Koskinen Stadium in Durham, N.C., on Friday, Feb. 6. The game is set for a 3 p.m. MT start and will be broadcast on ACC Network.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can follow along on social media (X: @UTAHLacrosse | Instagram: @utahlacrosse), and the official mobile app of Utah Athletics, Utah360 -- download here.
Ryan Stines was tabbed as the ASUN Offensive Player of the Week and Nikko DiPonio was selected as the conference's Defensive Player of the Week after the senior duo helped steer Utah to a 16-9 win over the Blue Hens in the first game of the 2026 Division I men's lacrosse season.
Stines, the Preseason ASUN Offensive Player of the Year, paced the Utah offense in Delaware, scoring four goals and adding three assists for a team-high seven points. The senior captain led the Utes with 14 shots, seven of which were on goal. Through the opening weekend of the season, Stines leads the ASUN in points and assists and is tied for second in goals.
This marks the third career weekly honor for Stines, having been named the ASUN Player of the Week once in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
DiPonio, the Preseason ASUN Defensive Player of the Year, spearheaded Utah's defensive effort against the Blue Hens, recording six caused turnovers and six ground balls to go with a long-pole goal. The senior leads the ASUN in caused turnovers and ranks third in ground balls entering the second week of the season.
This also marks the third career weekly award for DiPonio, who has been selected as the ASUN Defensive Player of the Week once in each of the past two seasons.
UP NEXT
Stines, DiPonio and the Utes stay on the road for the second game of the season, taking on No. 11 Duke at Freeman Field at Koskinen Stadium in Durham, N.C., on Friday, Feb. 6. The game is set for a 3 p.m. MT start and will be broadcast on ACC Network.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can follow along on social media (X: @UTAHLacrosse | Instagram: @utahlacrosse), and the official mobile app of Utah Athletics, Utah360 -- download here.
Players Mentioned
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