After helping the Canisius College women's lacrosse team clinch a bid to the 2012 MAAC Tournament, junior midfielder Morgan Leonard earned MAAC Defensive Player of the Week honors, announced by the conference on Monday.

Leonard led the Griffs in three games during the week, including two wins over MAAC opponents as Canisius earned the second seed for the upcoming conference tournament. She led the Griffs with nine ground balls and eight caused turnovers during the week to go along with four draw controls, three goals and two assists.

The Sykesville, Md. native - one of the nation's top-ranked players in caused turnovers - set a career high with five caused turnovers in the tournament-clinching victory at Iona to go along with four ground balls, a goal and two assists.

In her first season at Canisius, the junior transfer from Delaware leads all players in the MAAC and ranks fifth nationally with 2.31 caused turnovers per game this season. She has also recorded a team-best 41 ground balls in 2012, while ranking second on the team with 30 draw controls. Leonard has added 26 points, 18 goals and eight assists on the offensive side.

The weekly accolade is the second for Leonard during the 2012 campaign.

Leonard and the Griffs return to action on Friday as Canisius attempts to defend its conference title. The 2011 MAAC Champions open the conference tournament on Friday, hosting Marist in the semifinals. First draw at the Demske Sports Complex is set for 8 p.m.