Oct. 5, 2009
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State field hockey goalkeeper Ali Meves (Lower Gwynedd, Pa.) and forward Kelsey Amy (Sweet Valley, Pa.) were named Big Ten Defensive and Freshman of the Week on Monday after their stellar efforts led to Penn State's thrilling 2-1 overtime win over No. 18 Ohio State. Meves made 11 saves, including nine sensational stops after halftime, to keep the score tied while Amy scored the game-winning goal in overtime to send the Lions home winners.
These mark the first Big Ten awards for Meves and Amy, who are both in their first seasons of starting duty. Meves backed up All-American Jen Beaumont as a freshman and sophomore before earning starting nods in this, her junior year. The only true freshman to see time, Amy is fourth on the team with 18 shots.
Meves' 11 saves marked her second double-figure save total of the season (and her career), all coming in the last three games. Her career-high save total of 14 came on Sept. 23 at Princeton. She is now first in the Big Ten in both saves (60) and save percentage (.769).
Amy's first-career goal came in her second straight start. After a career-high five shots at Michigan on Sept. 27, her impressive play continued against the Buckeyes. Her goal came 4:52 into overtime to give Penn State its first overtime victory since last Oct. 24 against Indiana.
The goal also extended a remarkable streak of a different Nittany Lion player scoring her first-career goal in each home game thus far. Hannah Allison scored vs. Lock Haven (Sept. 4), Casey McCartin against Connecticut (Sept. 6) and Alex Schlener vs. West Chester (Sept. 20).
The Nittany Lions return to action later today, Monday, Oct. 5 at 4 p.m. as they host No. 14 Stanford at the Penn State Field Hockey Complex. The Cardinal enter the game 10-1, one of only six teams in the nation already in double figures in victories.
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