Oct. 8, 2007
University Park, Pa. - Jen Long was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week on Monday following an outstanding pair of games on defense for the junior defender out of Doylestown, Pa. This marks the second straight week that a Penn State player has garnered Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors as goalkeeper Jen Beaumont was last week's honoree. This is the second career weekly Big Ten award for Long, who also was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week on October 16 of last season.
Long, who also recorded a pair of assists in Penn State's two wins over the last week, helped the Nittany Lion defense record its fourth shutout of the year in Sunday's 2-0 win over Indiana, which was also the second shutout in the last three games for Penn State. In Sunday's game, Long blocked two Indiana shots off penalty corners to help keep the game scoreless. In last Wednesday's game against No. 20 Syracuse, Long helped the Nittany Lions pitch a first half shutout while building a 3-0 lead in a game in which they would yield just one goal in a 3-1 victory.
The former Central Bucks East star also assisted on both of the eventual game-winning goals in both contests last week, giving her a new career high for assists in a season with nine. Long has currently recorded assists in four straight games.
The Nittany Lions will travel to Easton, Pa. for a road contest at Lafayette on Wednesday night before returning to AstroTurf Field for a home game against Michigan State next Sunday, October 14, which will also be field hockey Think Pink Day.