April 1, 2013
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - After helping lead the No. 7 Penn State women's lacrosse team to a 16-11 upset victory against then-No. 2 Florida, sophomore midfielder Tatum Coffey (Toms River, N.J.) has been named the WomensLax.com Co-Player of the Week.
A Toms River, N.J., native, Coffey notched a game-high five points and a season-best four goals as the Nittany Lions improved to 2-0 in conference play for the first time since 2005. With the victory, Penn State also defeated its highest ranked opponent since topping second-ranked North Carolina, 8-7, in overtime during the 2007 season.
Against the nation's second-ranked defense, Coffey scored early in the first half before adding three second-half markers. The midfielder's second goal cut the Florida advantage to two before she netted back-to-back strikes to extend the Penn State lead to 15-11.
The sophomore also registered two draw controls, one ground ball and one caused turnover as Penn State snapped the Gators' 24-game regular-season win streak.
In 2013, Coffey paces the Nittany Lions in shots (44) and ranks second in draw controls (23), third in goals (17) and fourth in points (22) and assists (5). The Tewaaraton Award Watch List member is also tied for third on the team with nine caused turnovers.
Coffey, who shared the weekly award with Northwestern's Ali Cassera, is the second Nittany Lion to receive WomensLax.com Player of the Week honors this season. Classmate Kelly Lechner (Silver Spring, Md.) earned Player of the Week accolades March 4 following an eight-point week against Duquesne and Virginia.
The Nittany Lions will continue ALC play this weekend when they travel to Evanston, Ill., Friday, April 5 for a matchup against third-ranked Northwestern. Opening draw is set at 8 p.m.