Sept. 24, 2007
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; September 24, 2007 - Penn State goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher (Seymour, Conn.) has been named this week's Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, picking up the sophomore the first Big Ten weekly honor of her career.
Naeher was the key to the No. 17 Nittany Lions' first undefeated week this year. The preseason All-American turned in another pair of outstanding performances, including weathering 24 shots vs. 2006 national runner-up Notre Dame in the Nittany Lions' 2-1 victory.
The Connecticut-native began the week with four saves against regional rival Bucknell before hitting the road again to South Bend, Ind. to avenge the Nittany Lions' 2006 NCAA Quarterfinal loss at Notre Dame. After tallying two saves in the opening half, Naeher turned it up the second half vs. a feisty Notre Dame offense, denying the Fighting Irish six times, many after Penn State had taken the lead back. The win over Notre Dame was the first for Penn State in the all-time series and marked the second road win over a top 25 team this year for the Nittany Lions.
For the year, Naeher has a 0.73 goals against average and a .898 save percentage. She also has three shutouts in her second year as the Nittany Lions' starter.
The women's soccer team meets Colgate on Wednesday, Sept. 26 as part of a men's/women's doubleheader at Jeffrey Field. The women's team hosts Colgate at 5 p.m. before the men's team tangles with Penn immediately following. On Sunday, Penn State kicks off its conference title defense live on the Big Ten Network vs. 2006 runner-up Illinois. Gametime is 3 p.m. ET.