Jen Heup Earns BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week
February 23, 2009 | Women's Lacrosse
Feb. 23, 2009
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Cincinnati and Louisville wasted little time making an early mark on the BIG EAST women's lacrosse scene. With both schools entering their first year of BIG EAST women's lacrosse membership, each school has claimed a player on the weekly awards. Cincinnati freshman Laura Simanski was named the BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week, while Louisville senior Jen Heup was named the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week.
Heup totaled 13 saves and four ground balls in a 2-0 week for the Cardinals. She allowed just nine goals over 109 minutes of game time. In a 16-6 win at Bryant on Feb. 20, Heup made six saves and allowed just four goals 49:07. In an 11-5 win at Manhattan on Feb. 22, the goalkeeper made seven stops and allowed just five goals playing the full 60 minutes. Heup helped hold both opponents to single-digit scoring totals and grabbed four ground balls in the wins. The Cardinals have won seven straight dating back to last season.
Simanski helped the Bearcats to a 3-0 start in their first season of BIG EAST play totaling 13 goals to begin the year. She also had six ground balls, six draw controls and six caused turnovers over the three contests. Simanski averaged 4.3 goals per game and had a program-record six goals in an 11-10 overtime win against Robert Morris on Feb. 22. She also had a score in overtime to go along with four ground balls, three draw controls and three caused turnovers against the Colonials. Simanski has scored on 65 percent of her shots this season and leads the league with 13 goals.
BIG EAST HONOR ROLL
Lianna Bobal, Louisville, So., Midfield
Totaled eight points, including six goals; also snagged five groundballs; had five points, including three goals in an 11-5 win atManhattan on Feb. 22
Molly Ford, Georgetown, Jr., Attack
Tied a career-high with five goals in a 17-2 season-opening win overGeorge Washington on Feb. 21 at home; also had an assist to total sixpoints
Lindsay Rogers, Syracuse, Jr., Defense
Helped a defense that allowed just 16 goals over its first three games;scored a goal at Stanford on Feb. 20 and helped hold the Cardinalscoreless for 28 minutes in the second half; helped hold Cal to just twogoals on Feb. 22
Katie Rowan, Syracuse, Sr., Attack
Totaled 16 points, including 12 goals in a 3-0 week for the Orange; hadfive goals and three assists for eight points at Cal on Feb. 22
Katherine Russo, Cincinnati, Fr., Goalkeeper
Helped hold all three opponents to 10 goals or less in a 3-0 week forthe Bearcats; had 14 saves in an 11-8 win at Duquesne on Feb. 20 andnine saves in an 11-10 overtime win against Robert Morris on Feb. 22
