Albany's Vanessa Walter (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest) and Nicole Savage (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./James M. Coughlin) sweep this week's America East field hockey awards as they were named Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week, respectively. The honors were announced on Monday (October 2).
Walter scored one goal in each of the Great Danes’ two games last week to lead UAlbany to a pair of wins, including its first against a nationally-ranked opponent. Walter took an assist from Michelle Simpson to the cage a minute into the second half against Maine to give the Great Danes a 2-0 lead. Against #11 American, Walter grabbed a rebound in front of the cage and slipped it past Eagle goalkeeper Allison Fayfich for what proved to be the game-winning tally. Walter, who has started all 12 games for UAlbany this season, now has four goals and one assist for nine total points.
Savage assisted on two goals in UAlbany’s 3-0 win over Maine on Saturday. Savage, who was starting her first game after missing nine contests due to injury, recorded her first points of the season, assisting the gamewinner and an insurance goal for UAlbany. Savage was also a starting midfielder in the Great Danes’ win over #11 American, helping UAlbany defeat its first nationally-ranked opponent and continue its best start as a Division I program.