Feb. 23, 2010
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State senior midfielder Theresa Bucci (Hudson, Ohio) and freshman attacker Molly Fernandez (Baltimore, Md.) have been recognized with weekly honors by the American Lacrosse Conference for their standout performances in games versus Bucknell and No. 2 Maryland last week.
Bucci was named ALC Offensive Player of the Week while Fernandez was honored as ALC Rookie of the Week. For Bucci, the offensive award is the first of her career and the first won by a Nittany Lion since Shari Maslin in April 2006. The two-time Second Team All-ALC selection was also recognized nationally on the womenslacrosse.com honor roll. Fernandez's honor is also the first of her young career. Theresa Zichelli last received the rookie award for Penn State, capturing it late last season for her efforts in a 13-9 upset of Ohio State.
Bucci was key to the success of the Penn State offense last week, scoring a total of six goals in helping the Nittany Lions to a 1-1 record. In a 15-2 rout of Bucknell on Tuesday, Bucci totaled two goals in addition to two ground balls and one draw control. Versus No. 2 Maryland on Sunday, Bucci scored a career-high four goals, including three in the first half to help Penn State build a 6-3 halftime lead. Through the season's first three games, Bucci tops the PSU in goals (7) and is tied for the team lead in points (8).
Just three games into her collegiate career, Fernandez has already made a major impact on the Nittany Lions. Against a vaunted, No. 2-ranked Maryland squad, she scored three goals, including two in Penn State's surprising first half, marking the second consecutive game in which she has notched a hat trick. She also netted a team-high three goals in Penn State's 15-2 romp over Bucknell earlier in the week. Fernandez is currently tied for the team lead in points (8) and ranks second in goals (6) and is tied for second in assists (2). The Charm City native is also among the team leaders in ground balls (4) and draw controls (4).
This weekend, the Nittany Lions continue a four-game home stand by hosting two non-conference contests in Holuba Hall. On Fri., Feb. 26, Penn State will take on America East foe Vermont for just the second time in program history. Game time is set for 6 p.m. The Lions will be back in action on Sun., Feb. 28 when it welcomes Colgate to Happy Valley for a 1 p.m. match-up. Penn State has won four straight in the series, outscoring the Raiders 64-16 during the streak.