Feb. 18, 2008

Somerset, NJ - Freshman Ashley Olsen (Staten Island, NY / Notre Dame Academy) was named the Choice Hotels Northeast Conference (NEC) Rookie of the Week for the period of Feb. 11-Feb. 17 after helping Wagner to a perfect 2-0 record.

She is the first Seahawk to garner a NEC weekly accolade since Ashley Linscott was named Player of the Week on Jan. 26, 2004. The last Rookie of the Week accolade was hauled in by Carrie Walker on Feb. 19, 2000.

Olsen's spark off the bench this past week catapulted Wagner back into the race for one of the final remaining NEC Tournament berths. Playing an average of 23.5 minutes, the freshman forward contributed 13.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. Olsen opened the week by matching career-bests in points (18) and rebounds (9) during the Seahawks' nine-point road victory at Mount St. Mary's. The 5-11 rookie cashed in at the charity stripe when Wagner arrived home for a 71-61 win over Monmouth. Olsen sank 9-of-12 free throws on her way to a nine-point, five-rebound effort in 18 minutes of action while helping the Green & White snap their 11-game losing streak to the Hawks. For the week she shot 46.7 percent (7-15) from the field and 78.6 percent (11-14) from the free throw line.

Sacred Heart's Stephanie Ryan garnered Player of the Week accolades. Ryan and Olsen will meet tonight at 7 pm when the Pioneers and Seahawks tangle in the Spiro Sports Center.