CENTER VALLEY, Pa. – Bucknell junior forward Brittany Willwerth earned her second-consecutive Patriot League Field Hockey Offensive Player of the Week after scoring two goals against Lehigh to help the Bison remain undefeated in League play.
Lafayette junior defender Lisa van der Geest scored two goals, including an overtime game-winner against Drexel, while leading a pair of strong defensive efforts by the Leopards’ backline to earn Patriot League Field Hockey Defensive Player of the Week. Lafayette junior goalkeeper Sarah Park was named the goalkeeper of the week after making 15 saves to help the Leopards go 1-1 last week.
Boston University freshman midfielder Rebecca Janes was named the Patriot League Field Hockey Rookie of the Week after scoring her first collegiate goal, the eventual game-winner, in the Terriers’ 2-0 win over Colgate.
American’s senior midfielder Rafaela Rubas and senior defender Rachel Stefano were both selected as weekly honorable mentions for their role in the Eagles’ 6-1 win over Holy Cross.
Patriot League Field Hockey Notes
Patriot League Play Continues This Week
Six of the seven Patriot League teams will play League games, with beginning on Saturday at 11 a.m. when American hosts Lehigh. Holy Cross plays at Colgate and No. 21 Boston University heads to Lafayette, both starting at noon.
Patriot League Leaders
*Bucknell junior forward Brittany Willwerth leads the League in points (14) and goals (6) through nine games, while Bucknell senior defender Lexi Quick is second in points (13), while placing second in assists (5) behind American junior defender Annaka Groschinski, who leads the League with six assists. *Holy Cross junior goalkeeper Marcia LaPlante has a League-leading .779 save percentage, while averaging an NCAA-leading 14.50 saves per game.
*Boston University senior goalkeeper Kathleen Keegan is allowing a League-low 1.99 goals against average.
Patriot League in the Polls
Boston University, the Patriot League’s defending champion, and preseason favorite remained No. 21 in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Poll (NFHCA) when it was announced last Tuesday.
Patriot League vs. Ranked Opponents
The Patriot League went 0-1 against ranked teams last week, with Lafayette falling to No. 19 Liberty, 3-1.
How to Watch Upcoming Games
Three field hockey matches will be streamed on the
Patriot League Network (PLN) this week beginning with Lehigh at American on Saturday morning at 11 a.m. Colgate hosts Holy Cross beginning an hour later at noon. On Sunday, Bucknell welcomes VCU for a non-conference matchup at noon on the PLN. No. 21 Boston University travels to No. 5 Princeton for a Sunday afternoon game on ESPN+, beginning at 1 p.m.
PATRIOT LEAGUE FIELD HOCKEY OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Brittany Willwerth, Bucknell, Jr., Forward, New Holland, Pa./Garden Spot
*Willwerth scored two goals in Bucknell’s 5-1 win over Lehigh on Saturday.
*The junior forward has five goals and two assists in two League games.
*Willwerth has posted multi-goal games against each of the Bison’s League opponents.
PATRIOT LEAGUE FIELD HOCKEY DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Lisa van der Geest, Lafayette, Jr., Defender, Oegstgeest, Netherlands/Rijnlands Lyceum
*van der Geest scored a goal in both of Lafayette’s weekend games, including the overtime game-winner against Drexel on Friday.
*The junior defender anchored Lafayette’s backline in holding No. 19 Liberty to three goals and Drexel to just one goal.
*Her goal against Liberty was the Leopards’ lone score.
PATRIOT LEAGUE FIELD HOCKEY GOALKEEPER OF THE WEEK
Sarah Park, Lafayette, Jr., Goalkeeper, Collegeville, Pa./Methacton
*Park made 15 saves and allowed four goals to help the Leopards go 1-1, defeating Drexel and falling to No. 19 Liberty.
*The junior goalkeeper made three saves, allowing one goal in an overtime victory over Drexel.
*She stopped 12 shots, while holding No. 19 Liberty to three goals in a loss on Sunday.
PATRIOT LEAGUE FIELD HOCKEY ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Rebecca Janes, Boston University, Fr., Midfielder, Sydney, Australia/MLC School
*Janes scored her first collegiate goal, the eventual game-winner, in a 2-0 victory over Colgate on Saturday.
*The freshman midfielder’s goal came at the 12:18 mark in the first half.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Rafaela Rubas, American, Sr., M, Vienna, Austria/Bundesrealgymnasium
*Rubas scored one goal and had two assists in American’s 6-1 victory over Holy Cross on Saturday.
Rachel Stefano, American, Sr., Defender, Moorestown, N.J./Moorestown
*Stefano scored a goal and helped American hold Holy Cross to just four shots in a 6-1 victory on Saturday.
Offensive Player of the Week
8.27 - Ailsa Connolly, So., Boston University
9.3 – Katie Mannino, Sr., Bucknell
9.10 – Ailsa Connolly, So., Boston University
9.17 – Brittany Willwerth, Jr., Bucknell
Defensive Player of the Week
8.27 - Ally Hammel, Sr., Boston University
9.3 – Lexi Quick, Sr., Bucknell
9.10 – Lexi Quick, Sr., Bucknell
9.17 – Sally Olson, Sr., Bucknell
Goalkeeper of the Week
8.27 - Anna Unger, Fr., Colgate
9.3 – Olivia Harris, Jr., Bucknell
9.10 – Maura Jacobs, Sr., American
9.17 – Kathleen Keegan, Boston University
Rookie of the Week
8.27 - Olivia Krogermeier, Fr., Colgate
9.3 – Leah Mullery, Fr., Lehigh
9.10 – Olivia Perrone, Fr., Lehigh
9.17 – Molly McAndrew, Fr., Lafayette
ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
The Patriot League is in its third decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League’s athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes that are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.