March 11, 2008

Patriot League Notes in PDF Format

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Navy women's lacrosse players Erin Rawlick and Caitlin Mandrin Hill have been named Patriot League Player of the Week and Defensive Player of the Week, respectively, for their roles in three Navy wins last week. It marks the second straight week a Navy sophomore has been named Player of the Week as Mary Ruttum was selected for the honor last week. The awards also give Navy four weekly awards during the first three weeks of the season.

Rawlick, a sophomore midfielder from Bel Air, Md., scored 18 points (11 g, 7 a) in wins last week over St. Francis (Pa.) (24-0), Cincinnati (18-6) and Saint Mary's (Calif.) (18-6). She scored four goals with two assists in the win over St. Francis, then matched a career high with seven points (5 g, 2 a) against Cincinnati. She rounded out the week with a five-point showing, including a career-high three assists, in the victory over Saint Mary's (Calif.). She also added five ground balls and 11 draw controls during the three games. Rawlick leads the team in scoring (29 points), goals (20), draw controls (21), shots (38) and is second on the team in assists (9). Rawlick ranks high in several categories on the NCAA leaderboard, ranking fifth in points (29), seventh in goals (20), 12th in assists (9), fourth in points per game (5.8), eighth in goals per game (4.0), 24th in assists per game (1.8) and eighth in draw controls per game (4.2).

Mandrin Hill, a freshman from Annapolis, had a stellar defensive week, helping the Mids hold three opponents to just 12 goals and 40 shots. In the win over St. Francis (Pa.), Mandrin Hill dished out two assists, and had three ground balls while causing one turnover. She was part of the reason that Navy allowed zero shots for the entire game in the victory. Then against Cincinnati, Mandrin Hill scored a goal with an assist and added two ground balls and one draw control. Lastly, in the win over Saint Mary's (Calif.), she caused four turnovers and scooped up six ground balls. Originally a midfielder, injuries have caused her to move to the defensive side of the ball. For the season, Mandrin Hill has six points (2 g, 4 a), with a team-best 16 ground balls, four draw controls and a team-high nine caused turnovers. She is 28th nationally in ground balls per game (3.2).

Navy enters the weekend with a 5-0 record, after five season-opening routs. As a team, Navy is tops in the country in points per game (29.4), scoring offense (20.4), scoring defense (5.4), scoring margin (+15.0) and win percentage (1.000 / with seven other teams). The Mids are second in draw controls per game (18.4) and sixth in ground balls per game (23.6).

Individually, senior Amanda Towey is first in the country in assists (18), 11th in points (26), fourth in assists per game (3.6) and 10th in points per game (5.2). Freshman Meg Decker is 15th in points (23), 25th in points per game (4.6) and 20th in goals per game (4.0). Freshman Katrina Nietsch and sophomore Mary Ruttum are tied for 30th in goals per game (3.0). Lastly, senior goalkeeper Natalie Blandon is third nationally in goals against average at 5.50.

Navy will host two-time Patriot League defending champion Holy Cross on Saturday in the first league game for the Navy women's lacrosse team in school history. The game is slated to start at noon at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and admission is free to all home Navy women's lacrosse games.

# GO NAVY #