STATE COLLEGE, Pa., April 16, 2002- Penn State sophomore defenseman Rob Bateman (Parkton Md./Hereford) was named ECAC Defensive Player of the Week after he collected six groundballs and an assist against the Navy Midshipmen. This is the first time in his career that Bateman has earned the honor and the first time this season that a Nittany Lion has earned ECAC Defensive Player of the Week.

In nine of the ten matches Bateman has competed in this season, he has finished with five groundballs or higher. His season high came in the first match of the season against Notre Dame where he contained 13 groundballs. Bateman currently leads the Lions and the ECAC in groundballs with 69 this season so far. He also holds a groundballs per game average of 6.90 which is also the best in the ECAC.

Penn State will host Rutgers in the final ECAC match-up of the season on Apr. 20 at 7:00 p.m. Bucknell will then travel to University Park to in a non-conference game on Apr. 23 at 7:30 p.m.

--LIONS--