March 3, 2014
RICHMOND, Va. - Redshirt-senior midfielder Kyle VanThof (Penfield, N.Y.) was named Colonial Athletic Association Co-Player of the Week Monday afternoon following a career-high five-point performance at Ohio State.
VanThof was instrumental in Penn State's 14th consecutive true road victory with three goals and two assists to help the Nittany Lions claim their second Creator's Trophy over the Buckeyes. Ohio State was ranked 19th coming into the contest, held at Ohio Stadium. The midfielder out of the greater Rochester area shares the honor with Delaware goalkeeper Conor Peaks.
VanThof played a pivotal role in Saturday's game by scoring two of his three goals in the fourth-quarter including the eventual game-winning goal. Additionally, VanThof also assisted on two goals and is tied for the team lead in the category with 5. He now ranks third on the team in goals (6) and points (11).
The fifth-year senior showed his precision with a shooting percentage of .429 and not committing a turnover. VanThof is shooting .400 with six goals scored on 15 goals, well above his career number of .224. Moreover, VanThof ranks 53rd nationally in shot percentage (.400). VanThof is just four points off his career-high of 15 set in 2010 and 2011, which were done in 13 and 14 games, respectively.
In the CAA, VanThof ranks in the top 10 in multiple individual statistical categories. He's tied for fourth in assists per game (1.25), ninth in goals per game (1.50) and points per game (2.75) and tied for second in game-winning goals with the one from Saturday at the Horseshoe.
VanThof's weekly award is the third received this season for Penn State as senior attackman Shane Sturgis (Downingtown, Pa.) took home CAA Player of the Week laurels Feb. 10 and Feb. 24. Sturgis was also named Inside Lacrosse's Brine Player of the Week Feb. 25 for his five-goal performance over No. 4 Notre Dame. Sturgis currently leads NCAA Division I in goals per game (4.50).
Penn State's arduous schedule continues next week with a Monday night clash at No. 12 Denver, who fell six spots following a 12-10 loss at Penn. Denver will be Penn State's fourth straight opponent followed by Massachusetts (March 15), which will take place in Happy Valley. By March 22's contest against No. 18 Albany, Penn State may have faced six opponents ranked in the top 20 in a seven-game stretch.