Senior faceoff specialist Ben Williams has been named ACC Defensive Player of the Week following bounce back performances against Cornell and North Carolina.

Once battling a slump due to a nagging injury, Williams’ turnaround has helped No. 1 Syracuse (10-1, 4-0 Atlantic Coast) keep its ranking for the second week in a row. Williams finished the week 34-of-50 on faceoffs as Syracuse improved its win streak to eight games.

SU’s dominant force at the X thrived Tuesday against Cornell, winning a season-best 76 percent of faceoffs and grabbing 11 ground balls. Against then-No. 17 North Carolina, he kept his turnaround alive, winning 15-of-25 at the X. He added seven ground balls and won 10 of the last 12 faceoffs en route to a come-from-behind overtime victory.

Williams and the Orange host Binghamton for Senior Day on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Carrier Dome.