PARK RIDGE, Ill. - Penn State freshman Stephanie Smith (White Plains, N.Y.) earned Big Ten Women's Soccer Player-of-the-Week honors, Conference officials announced on Tuesday.
The forward went on a scoring frenzy in PSU's two shutout wins last weekend. In the 3-0 sweep of Loyola (Md.) on Friday, Smith tallied the first goal of her collegiate career with the game's second tally. She also assisted each on the other two goals.
In Sunday's 5-0 victory over host James Madison, Smith added a goal and an assist.
After six contests, the freshman stands tied for second in team scoring with two goals, six assists, and 10 points. Among all Big Ten players, Smith is tied for fourth in scoring, while her six assists lead the league.
The Conference honor is the first of Smith's collegiate career.
The No. 8 Nittany Lions (4-1-1) conclude a five-game road swing this weekend with a trip to Spring, Texas, for the adidas College Classic. Penn State faces top-ranked North Carolina (6-0) in opening round action on Friday, Sept. 15 at 5 p.m. CST. The squads met twice last season with PSU winning 3-2 in Chapel Hill, and the Tar Heels claiming a 2-0 win at the 1999 NCAA College Cup.
Penn State then takes on fellow No. 8 Texas A&M (4-2) on Sunday, Sept. 17 at Noon CST. The Nittany Lions return home to Jeffrey Field on Tuesday, Sept. 19 for a 7 p.m. match with Cornell.