Team Statistics
Individual Statistics
| Natalie Berrena picked up her first career Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Award after she tallied 10 shots, five assists and two goals vs. Temple, Lafayette and West Chester. |
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. September 19, 2005 - Following a dominant three-game stretch last week, the No. 7 Penn State field hockey team swept the Big Ten Player of the Week honors announced today by the Conference.
Sara Cahill (Virginia Beach, Va.) won Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors, while Natalie Berrena (State College, Pa.) was selected as co-Offensive Player of the Week. The two led Penn State to dominant shutout wins over Temple (5-0), Lafayette (7-0) and West Chester (6-0) last week.
Cahill, a senior back, anchored Penn State's defense, which did not allow a goal in the three games. She helped keep Penn State's opponents in check as the Nittany Lions gave up just 11 shots over the three-game span. Cahill also tallied her first goal of the year in a 7-0 victory over Lafayette. The weekly award is the first of Cahill's career.
Berrena, who shares her award with Ohio State's Lucy Clayton, finished the week tallying 10 shots, five assists and two goals as she helped Penn State extend its win streak to nine games. Berrena currently ranks third on the team in points (23) and goals (5). The award is also a first for the senior midfielder.
The awards are the second and third for Penn State field hockey this year. Senior goalkeeper Megan Akstin (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) earned Defensive Player of the Week honors on Aug. 29.
The Nittany Lions (9-1) have won nine straight, and have outscored their opponents 36-4 over those games. Shaun Banta (Gibbsboro, N.J.) leads the team with eight goals while Annelise Legel (Morgantown, Pa.) is tops on the team with 17 points. Akstin has recorded five shutouts this year at goalkeeper.
Penn State heads into Big Ten action on Saturday, Sept. 24 vs. Northwestern. The game begins at noon at Astroturf Field. Admission to all home games is free.