Oct. 13, 2008
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Two players conducive to the Penn State field hockey team's victories over No. 5 Iowa and No. 10 Virginia received recognition from the Big Ten Conference.
Jen Beaumont (Chalfont, Pa.) was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, and Allison Scola (Hummelstown, Pa.) was honored as the conference's Co-Offensive Player of the Week, sharing the accolade with Ohio State's Linda Haussener.
It is Beaumont's third conference player of the week award. She previously won the award in 2006 and 2007. It is the first time the Big Ten has recognized Scola as its top weekly offensive player. Beaumont and Scola are the first Nittany Lions to take commendation this season. This marks the first time since Aug. 27, 2007 that Penn State (9-4, 2-0 Big Ten) won both offensive and defensive players of the week.
Scola scored four points this weekend to lead Penn State over two Top Ten opponents. Scola, who has earned a point in four-straight games, earned herself a scoring opportunity by stealing the ball out of a scrum and scoring against Iowa. The senior forward also tallied an assist on a penalty corner goal against the Hawkeyes. Two days later, she earned her ninth assist of the season when she connected with Christine Dudek, who one-timed Penn State's lone goal against Virginia.
"Allie had a very strong game Friday and was key to our victory on Sunday," head coach Charlene Morett said. "She provided a spark on the field, working the ball into the circle and creating dangerous scoring opportunities. It is a very deserving honor for her."
Beaumont held off two of the nation's premier offenses in three days, earning victories over Iowa and Virginia. The senior goalkeeper, who currently leads the Big Ten in goals against average and save percentage, allowed just one goal against the Hawkeyes - the fourth-best scoring offense in Division I. She made seven saves, including several game-preserving stops, for a shut out win over the Cavaliers, who rank seventh in goals per game.
"Beaumont was brilliant in both games, especially in shutting out a tough team like Virginia," Morett said. "However, she'll be the first to say the defense deserves partial credit for her award. It's great when any award is reflective of your teammates' performance."
Penn State travels up Route 45 Tuesday to face Bucknell at 6 p.m. in Lewisburg, Pa. The Nittany Lions return to conference play Sunday against Northwestern in Evanston, Ill.