Leann Stiver Named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week
10/5/2009 2:16:52 PM | Field Hockey
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Syracuse University field hockey freshman goalkeeper Leann Stiver was named the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in her career after helping the Orange earn two consecutive victories versus ranked opponents last week. Sophomore forward Heather Susek also garnered BIG EAST Honor Roll recognition for her weekend performance. It's the second straight conference honor for Stiver, who, who was also named to the BIG EAST Honor Roll on Sept. 28. It was Susek's first career honor.
Stiver earned her second shutout of the season for No. 6 Syracuse, a 1-0 victory versus No. 20 Albany on Oct. 4, recording two saves. The freshman also made three stops in SU's 5-2 win against No. 9 Massachusetts on Oct. 3. She ranks first in the BIG EAST with a 0.93 goals against average, and stands second in shutouts (two), shutouts per game (0.18), and save percentage (.789). Stiver has been in goal for all but one of the Orange's seven victories over ranked opponents. The seven wins against top-20 opponents are the most of any Division I team.
Susek recorded six points in Syracuse's two victories last weekend. She had a hand in four of SU's five goals in its 5-2 win against UMass. The freshman scored Syracuse's third and fifth goals and provided the assist on SU's first and fourth goals. Susek's six goals and 15 points are both second on the team.
The Orange returns to action on Friday when it hosts BIG EAST foe Georgetown at J.S. Coyne Stadium at 3 p.m. The game will be webcast on Orange All Access.
