March 4, 2008

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Navy sophomore attack Mary Ruttum has been named the Patriot League Women's Lacrosse Player of the Week, the league office announced on Tuesday. Ruttum joins goalkeeper Natalie Blandon as weekly Patriot League award winners, as Blandon won the initial goalkeeper of the week accolade on Feb. 26.

Ruttum, an Annapolis native, led Navy to a 21-5 victory over Niagara last Saturday with six points (5 g, 1 a). She also scooped up three ground balls and had one draw control. Ruttum scored three of Navy's first five goals to start the offensive onslaught, and had 10 points (9 g, 1 a) through the first two games for the Midshipmen.

In Tuesday's win over St. Francis (Pa.), Ruttum scored four points (3 g, 1 a) with two ground balls and one draw control. Ruttum currently ranks third on the team with 14 points, and her 12 goals is second on the squad.

Meanwhile, freshman Meg Decker (Catonsville, Md.) was named to the Patriot League weekly honor roll. Decker scored six goals against Niagara, and after Tuesday's two-point (1 g, 1 a) performance, ranks fourth on the team in scoring with 13 points and third in goals with 11.

The Mids will be back in action this weekend with a pair of games at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Navy will host Cincinnati at noon on Saturday and Saint Mary's (Calif.) at noon on Sunday.

# GO NAVY #