MAC Field Hockey Offensive Player of the Week
Malena Sabez, Sophomore, Midfielder, Miami
Mendoza, Argentina (Padre Claret)
Sabez powered the RedHawks to a pair of wins, first scoring in the MAC victory over Longwood and helping the Red + White put together advantages of 36-1 in shots and 14-0 in corners. In the win over No. 13 Liberty, Sabez scored the game-tying goal in the 56th minute and then delivered the game-winner in the 64th minute on a blast into the far corner, completing the hat trick with the goal. She was also a part of the defensive effort that allowed the Flames only two PCs and 13 shots, well below their averages of 8.5 per game and 21 per game.
MAC Field Hockey Defensive Player of the Week
Chiara Curcio, Junior, Defender, Massachusetts
Montevideo, Uruguay [Catholic University (Uruguay)]
Curcio had another stellar weekend all over the field as an anchor to one of the nation’s top defensive units, while also tallying a goal and assist. Defensively, the Minutewomen allowed just 10 total shots (only four on goal) over a 2-0 weekend as UMass outscored its opposition 9-0, holding its opponents without a single shot for five of the eight quarters over the weekend. On Friday against Ohio, the Minutewomen allowed just eight shots (three on goal), holding the Bobcats without an attempt for the game’s first 27:24 and shot-less for the game’s final 15:59. Offensively, Curcio dished her first-career assist on a penalty corner, then scored her first-career goal in the fourth quarter off another corner. The success continued at UAlbany Sunday as she anchored a defense that allowed just two shots (one on goal) to the Great Danes. This came against a Great Danes' team that entered with a 3-2 record, was averaging 2.6 goals per game and hadn't been shut out this season. Since allowing two goals in the season-opening win against No. 8 Liberty, the Minutewomen have allowed just three goals over the last seven games and still only five for the season (in eight contests).
MAC Field Hockey Goalkeeper of the Week
Michaela Skinner, Graduate Student, Kent State
Chesapeake, Va. (Western Branch)
Michaela Skinner had the best week of her Kent State career, recording her first shutout of the season on Friday against Central Michigan before adding four saves in Sunday’s 3-1 victory over Bucknell. Skinner posted a save percentage of (.857) and lowered her GAA from 2.61 down to 2.09. Her season's save percentage also increased to (.691) with the two victorious performances.
