March 17, 2008

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- A pair of Navy freshmen women's lacrosse players have earned Patriot League weekly honors for their roles in Navy's 12-11 win over Holy Cross on Saturday. Midfielder Meg Decker was named the league's Rookie of the Week, while midfielder / defenseman Caitlin Mandrin Hill was selected as the league's Defensive Player of the Week. The Mids earned their first Patriot League win in school history with the victory and are one of four teams nationally to be undefeated, boasting a 6-0 record.

Decker, who hails from nearby Catonsville, Md., has had a stellar season for head coach Cindy Timchal, ranking second on the team in goals (20), points (27), draw controls (19) and caused turnovers (7) and third on the team with seven assists. She scored four points (3 g, 1 a) in the victory over Holy Cross with four draw controls, two caused turnovers and one ground ball. Two of her goals came early in the second half after Holy Cross had trimmed the lead to 6-5. She currently ranks fourth in the league in points per game (4.50), third in goals per game (3.33), fifth in draw controls per game (3.17) and third in free-position goals per game (0.83).

Meanwhile, freshman Caitlin Mandrin Hill was named Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week for the second straight week. The midfielder / defenseman from Annapolis scored two goals with three caused turnovers, one draw control and three ground balls in helping Navy to the 12-11 victory. Her final goal of the game came with 2:57 to play, breaking an 11-11 tie for the game-winning tally. Her first goal came via a free-position shot in the first half to give Navy a 4-1 advantage. She currently ranks seventh on the team in scoring with eight points, but paces the squad with 12 caused turnovers and 19 ground balls. She ranks third in the Patriot League in caused turnovers per game (2.00) and is first among league players in ground balls per game (3.17).

Navy players have now won six awards in the four weeks the league has dealt out the weekly honors.

The Mids will take to the road for the first time on Saturday, when they travel to Colgate for a Patriot League tilt, beginning at 1:00 pm, in Hamilton, N.Y.

# GO NAVY #