April 1, 2013
RICHMOND, Va. - Behind a 30-save week and two wins, Penn State men's lacrosse goalkeeper Austin Kaut (Morton, Pa.) was named Colonial Athletic Association Co-Player of the Week on Monday by the league office. The 13th ranked Nittany Lions are on a five-game winning streak after road wins over No. 7 Bucknell and Villanova.
Kaut has been outstanding over the past five games for the Nittany Lions, winning each decision as Penn State is 7-3 on the season, 2-0 in CAA play. Against Bucknell on Tuesday, Kaut made 11 of 14 stops in the first half en route to an 11-3 trouncing of Bucknell in Lewisburg, Pa. Penn State has two wins over top 10 foes this season.
On Saturday, Kaut loomed large for the Villanova offense, saving 16 Wildcat shots in preserving a 7-6 victory. Kaut made eight saves in each half at Villanova.
Kaut posted a .769 save percentage and 4.50 goals-against average in the two contests. The junior out of Springfield High School in Delaware County ultimately stopped 30 shots on goal, while allowing just nine goals. Kaut added six ground balls and a caused turnover for the week as well. Kaut shares the player of the week honor with Towson's Andrew Wascavage who made 19 saves in a 7-6 win over Hofstra on Saturday.
The shifty netminder ranks second nationally in save percentage (.623), fifth in goals-against average (7.16) and 14th in saves per game (11.9). Kaut has been on a tear during Penn State's five-game winning streak, stopping 71 of 93 shots (.763 save percentage) and posting a GAA of 4.44.
For Kaut, the CAA weekly laurel is the seventh of his career and second of the season. Kaut was named CAA Player of the Week after a 16-save effort against Massachusetts in a 7-5 win on March 16. Previously, Kaut has thrice won CAA Player of the Week and was a three-time honoree for the weekly rookie award in 2011 en route to CAA Rookie of the Year honors.
The Nittany Lions host No. 12 Drexel at Penn State Lacrosse Field on Saturday in a crucial CAA matchup. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m. as Penn State celebrates its 100th season of lacrosse with a halftime ceremony honoring former members of the program.
--NITTANY LIONS--