Printer-Friendly Format     E-mail this article     Freshman Kailene Abt was named the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week for her play in Notre Dame's win over Loyola.

Freshman midfielder comes of the bench to help lead Irish to conference win.

March 25, 2008

Notre Dame, Ind. - Freshman midfielder Kailene Abt (Huntington, N.Y.) has been selected as the BIG EAST defensive player of the week for the week ending March 23, 2008.

Abt came off the bench on March 22 to help the Irish win their first BIG EAST game of the season, a 13-10 win over Loyola (Md.). The freshman midfielder scored one goal, forced four turnovers, grabbed two ground balls and had a pair of draw controls as Notre Dame held the Greyhounds to just four second-half goals.

On the season, Abt has played in seven of the team's nine games, scoring three goals with one assist. She has picked up three ground balls, grabbed seven draw controls and had five caused turnovers in her first season.

Notre Dame starts the week with a 6-3 overall record and is now 1-1 in BIG EAST play. The Irish travel to Hofstra on Tuesday, March 25 for a 4:00 p.m. game before returning to conference play this Saturday, March 29, when they visit the University of Connecticut. Game time in Storrs, Conn., is set for 1:00 p.m.

Also honored by the BIG EAST this week was attack standout Jillian Byers (Northport, N.Y.). The junior had three goals and one assist in the win over Loyola and equaled a career high with six draw controls. In nine games this season, Byers leads Notre Dame in scoring with 38 goals and nine assists for 47 points. She also has the team lead with 30 draw controls.

Notre Dame enters the week ranked 13th in both the IWLCA coaches poll and the Inside Lacrosse.com poll.