Sept. 19, 2005

VILLANOVA, Pa. - The Big East Conference announced Monday that Villanova field hockey (6-1, 1-0 Big East) swept the weekly awards for the week of September 19th. The Wildcats had an impressive 2-0 week beating West Chester on Wednesday and upsetting No. 11 Connecticut, 4-3, Saturday afternoon. This is the first time a VU player has received the honor this season, and only the second time of 2005 that a team has swept the awards.

Junior forward Lauren Campanelli was named the Offensive Player of the Week after providing two goals in the win over UConn. The Langhorne, Pa. native scored the `Cats first goal to tie the score at one and then hammered in the game-winner with just a minute and a half left to beat the 2004 Big East Champs.

Campanelli is one third of a potent offensive attack that has accounted for sixteen of the team's twenty-four goals on the season. She currently has four goals and one assist placing her third in team scoring behind junior Megan Foster (Berlin, N.J./ Bishop Eustace) and senior Rory Rogers (Rosemont, Pa./ Sacred Heart Academy).

"Lauren is one of the hardest workers on the team," said Head Coach Joanie Q. Milhous. "She is incredibly disciplined and that is why she is in the right spot at the right time."

Senior co-captain, Natalie Balthrop, received Defensive Player of the Week after two big games. Although she may lack statistics on paper, the product out of Chicago, Ill. plays an integral role in the Wildcat defense. Balthrop was put to the test on Saturday due to UConn's overwhelming offense. The Huskies registered sixteen shots and twelve penalty corners, but were only able to covert off of three corners. Milhous credited Balthrop with many of the stops.

"Natalie is a great leader in the backfield. She is very strong and disciplined, which is why she was able to break up so many of their (UConn's) corners"

Balthrop currently has one goal and three shots on the season.