April 1, 2009
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Junior goalkeeper Stephanie Ellis (Bryn Mawr, Pa.) has been named American Lacrosse Conference (ALC) Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in her career, the conference office announced on Wednesday. Ellis is the second Nittany Lion to earn the honor this season after junior defender Margo Josephs (Reisterstown, Md.) won on March 2 for her standout performances in wins over Bucknell and Colgate.
Ellis is the anchor of a defensive unit that is ranked No. 6 nationally, allowing just 8.33 goals per game. Versus William & Mary on Saturday, she recorded 12 saves and tied for the team lead in ground with balls with three in the Nittany Lions' 14-12 non-conference road win. Through nine games, Ellis has collected a team-best 21 ground balls and compiled a 8.94 goals against average, ranking her second in the ALC and 12th among NCAA goalkeepers.
A first-year starter, Ellis has been in goal for all five of Penn State wins this season.
This weekend, the Nittany Lions will face two of the nation's top powerhouse teams at the ALC/ACC Challenge in Columbus, Ohio. Hosted by Ohio State at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium, Penn State will meet No. 2 Maryland (8-0) on Fri., April 3 at 5 p.m. and No. 4 North Carolina (7-2) on Sun., April 5 at 11 a.m.