Sept. 17, 2013
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Maya Hayes (West Orange, N.J.) led the No. 9 Penn State women's soccer to three-straight road wins last week and earned Disney Soccer/NSCAA Division I National Player of the Week honors in the process. The senior posted four goals and one assist at Bucknell, Oklahoma State and Tulsa this past week.
With the selection Hayes becomes the first-ever Nittany Lion to earn national player of the week accolades by the NSCAA. This is Hayes' third award of the week as she was also named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week and the Philly Soccer News Player of the Week.
Hayes collected nine points on the week, leading the Nittany Lions to victories each of their opponents and notched back-to-back game-winning goals against Oklahoma State and Tulsa to increase PSU's winning streak to five-straight matches.
Hayes started the week off with one goal and one assist at Bucknell in PSU's 6-0 shutout against the Bison on Tuesday. The MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List pick then went on to score two goals in Friday's 4-2 win at Oklahoma State and netted another goal in Sunday's 3-2 triumph over Tulsa.
With 61 total goals, Hayes is now in sole possession of third place in Penn State's career-goals ledger. The two-time NSCAA All-American also moves into the fourth spot on the career points record list with a total of 140 points. No active player in Division I women's soccer has posted more career goals or points than Hayes.
Hayes leads the Big Ten and is tied for third in the Division I standings for total goals (9) and points (21) this year. She also has the highest goals per game (1.12) and points per game (2.41) averages in the Big Ten this season.
Penn State (6-1-1) opens up Big Ten play this Friday, hosting Northwestern in a 7:00 p.m. match-up at Jeffrey Field. Admission and parking are free for all PSU women's soccer matches. Fans are reminded that there is a no bag policy in place on stadium grounds.