Accolades and injuries

It’s always good news when local athletes go on to excel at the next level.

The Woodlands High School graduate Daniel Adams had a big week for Grove City College in Grove City, Pa. The senior was recognized on Monday as a Presidents’ Athletic Conference Player of the Week. Adams earned Defensive Player of the Week recognition in men's soccer.

Adams' work at outside back helped the Wolverines earn two shutouts last week in conference play. He helped limit Thiel to just one shot on goal, Oct. 8, in Grove City's 2-0 victory.

Against visiting Bethany, Saturday, Adams keyed a defense that limited the Bison to just seven total shots.

Adams has helped anchor a Grove City defense which has allowed just 11 goals this season. The Wolverines have four shutouts and an aggregate 0.85 goals-against average for the season.

But the news this week wasn’t all good. The injury bug hit a pair of former football stars from The Woodlands High School.

Running back Daniel Lasco, a sophomore on the California Golden Bears football team, injured his shoulder on Saturday in a game with UCLA. He was at Monday’s practice with his arm in a sling and is out for this week’s game against Oregon State.

Lasco has played in five games this season and is second on the team in rushing with 213 yards on 46 carries and two touchdowns. He scored one of those on Saturday prior to the injury. Lasco also has a kick return for 18 yards.

He played in 12 games last season, recording a team-high 12 special teams tackles and forced two fumbles. He rushed for 109 yards and a touchdown on six carries last season, including a 77-yard touchdown dash against Southern Utah. Lasco also had four kick returns for 42 yards.

In addition, New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola left Sunday’s game with a head injury after taking a hard hit on an end around run in the third quarter of the Patriots’ 30-27 victory over the New Orleans Saints. His status in unclear but the speculation is that the former Highlander won’t return to the lineup anytime soon. Amendola had missed three games with a groin injury.

With 16 catches for 159 yards, Amendola ranks fourth among Patriots receivers this season.