UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Senior Alex Ross, sophomore Hunter Aquino, and freshman Preston Hawkins were recognized as this week’s Big Ten Players of the Week in their respective categories, creating a near-sweep of the awards for the Nittany Lions. Ross earned defensive honors, Aquino offensive, and Hawkins as the Freshman of the Week. The three weekly awards mark the most in a single week since March 12, 2024, when PSU earned offensive, defensive, and specialist honors.
Princeton’s attack and midfield units entered the season regarded as two of the top five units in their respective roles across the country, but senior captain Alex Ross had other plans for the Tigers' season opener. He matched his season high groundball and turnover marks in Penn State's win at No. 3 Princeton over the weekend. He helped hold the Tiger's attack and midfield core to just seven goals.
Aquino led the scoring for PSU against Princeton with a hat trick but proved to be effective in the ride as well, causing a pair of turnovers and scooping four groundballs. The caused turnover and groundball numbers each marked new career highs for the sophomore.
In his third start and second full game of his career, Hawkins put up a career-high 11 saves against a top three ranked Princeton team. The seven goals allowed proved to be a season low for Hawkins when playing a full game. It also marked the fewest goals scored by the Ivy League regular season title favorite since February 28, 2024, when Princeton put up seven goals against Maryland.
UP NEXT
The three honorees and the rest of the Nittany Lions are off on their second road trip of the season this weekend when the team heads to Annapolis, Maryland, to square off against Navy on Saturday, February 21. Faceoff is set for noon on ESPN+.
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