Oct. 22, 2013
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State senior Maya Hayes (West Orange, N.J.) led the now-No. 16 women's soccer team to back-to-back Big Ten wins last week and earned Disney Soccer/NSCAA Division I National Player of the Week laurels in the process. The forward notched three goals in PSU's triumphs over Ohio State and Illinois this past week.
This is Hayes' fourth award of the week as she has also garnered TopDrawerSoccer.com National Team of the Week, Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week and Philly Soccer News Player of the Week accolades. The two-time NSCAA first team All-American has now collected national player of the week honors twice this season as she also earned recognition for the week ending Sept. 15.
Hayes totaled six points on the week, leading the Lions (12-3-1, 6-2-0 Big Ten) to victories over both of their opponents, and registered the game-winning goal against the Buckeyes on Thursday. She started the weekend off with two goals in PSU's 4-2 win over OSU and found the back of the net again on Sunday as the Nittany Lions overpowered Illinois, 5-0.
The reigning Big Ten Forward of the Year has scored in all but three matches for the Lions this season, tallying 16 goals and five assists for a Big Ten-leading 37 points. She is tied for second and fourth in the nation in points and goals, respectively.
Hayes leads all active Division I players in career goals and ranks second in points as she has amassed 68 total goals and 20 assists for a remarkable 156 points.
The Nittany Lions return to action this weekend, traveling west to take on Iowa and Big Ten frontrunner, Nebraska. PSU will meet the Hawkeyes on Friday at 8:00 p.m. (EST) before facing the Corn Huskers on Sunday in a 2:00 p.m. match-up.