Feb. 24, 2014
RICHMOND, Va. - Senior attackman Shane Sturgis (Downingtown, Pa.) was named Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Week Monday afternoon for the second time this year thanks to a five-goal game in an upset of No. 4 Notre Dame on Saturday.
Sturgis, who was named CAA Player of the Week following a career-best six-goal game against Michigan (Feb. 8), currently leads the nation in goals per game (4.67) and points per game (6.00). The quick start by the senior is punctuated by the fact that none of his scoring totals (5 goals, 1 assist, 6 points) on Saturday were season highs.
Sturgis tallied five goals on an efficient seven shots for a .714 shooting percentage. He also scored the game-winning goal late in the third quarter. In addition to his scoring prowess, Sturgis also collected a season-high three ground balls in the Nittany Lion victory.
The spectacular start has Sturgis already halfway to his single-season high of 27 goals, which he recorded last year in 17 games. Moreover, Sturgis has notched 34 percent of the PSU goals (14-of-41) and 32 percent of the team's points (18-of-56) in the first three games.
The victory over Notre Dame was the second in three years and in both instances the Fighting Irish were ranked in the top 5 (No. 2 in 2012, No. 4 in 2014). The win extended the school-record road winning streak to 13 games as the Nittany Lions look for No. 14 at Ohio State on Saturday. Opening faceoff is set for 1 p.m. in Columbus.