University of Maine forward Rachael Hilgar (Barto, Pa./Upper Perkiomen) and New Hampshire's Caitlin Gillen (New Preston, Conn./Shepaug Valley) have been named America East Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week respectively for field hockey.
Hilgar scored three goals in two games over the weekend, leading to a pair of Black Bear victories. Hilgar scored both goals in Maine’s 2-1 overtime win over Providence College Friday and then added another in a 3-2 Black Bear win over the University of Rhode Island Saturday. She is now second among Black Bears to teammate Karly Bundy with five goals and is tied with three other Maine players for the team lead in assists with three. Hilgar scored eight goals last year as a sophomore, good enough for second on the team.
A freshman forward, Gillen scored one goal on the week in New Hampshire's 3-2 win over conference foe Boston U. Gillen's goal against Boston U. gave the Wildcats a 2-0 lead with 32 seconds remaining in the first half and propelled the team to a road victory in the conference opener for both teams.