This week’s Orange Panther of the Week is lacrosse midfielder Jackson Eakes. Orange went into spring break on a three-game winning streak, including a victory over Northwood. Against Cedar Ridge on March 20, Eakes had nine face-off wins and scored scored three goals in a 19-5 Panther victory inside Red Wolves Stadium. On March 11, Eakes had seven face-off wins and two assists as the Panthers defeated Southern Alamance 14-10 in Graham. As a junior, Eakes has become the top face-off man for an Orange team that has won five consecutive conference championships. On March 9, Eakes won seven draws and scored a goal in an 8-4 victory over Enloe at Auman Stadium in Hillsborough. Eakes opened the season by winning 20 face-offs, winning 12 ground balls and scoring two goals as the Panthers defeated Pinecrest 15-14. Eakes won 20 face-offs against Northern Guilford in Greensboro on February 27. He also had 12 ground balls. Eakes had seven face-off wins and scored a goal and an assist in Orange’s 5-4 win over Walter Williams at Memorial Stadium in Burlington. Eakes won 13 face-offs against Apex on March 14. Orange lacrosse is 7-3 overall, 2-0 in the Mid-Carolina Conference. The Panthers will return to action in a crucial game at Carrboro inside Jaguars Stadium on Tuesday night. They will travel to East Chapel Hill on Thursday night.
