April 8, 2009
NORFOLK, Va. -- Old Dominion University goalkeeper Sarah Geary (Springfield, Pa./Springfield HS) was tabbed as the WomensLacrosse.com National Rookie of the Week for her superb performances in three games last week. Geary was in goal for ODU's first ever win over Virginia, ranked ninth at the time, and with an impressive 19-save performance against Towson, improved to 8th nationally in save percentage.
Geary played the full 60 minutes against the 9th ranked Cavaliers, and became the first Lady Monarch goalkeeper ever to notch a win against UVa. In 32 previous matchups, ODU was winless until Geary held the Cavalier offense to just 10 goals on 30 shots, making 12 saves.
Then, following the big Virginia win, Geary allowed just 16 goals in two CAA games, including holding the potent Towson Tiger attack to just seven goals scored for the first league win of the year. Despite Towson taking 38 shots in the game, Geary managed a career-high 19 saves and turned away eight free-position attempts to lead ODU past the Tigers.
After the three games, her save percentage shot up to over 51 percent (.512), leading the league and ranking eighth nationally in that category. She also ranks sixth in the nation in ground balls per game (3.5), 11th in the nation in saves per game (11.0) and in the top 25 for goals against average (10.01). She had five caused turnovers and 13 ground balls for the Lady Monarchs this week.
Geary is the first CAA rookie to be awarded the national honor since William & Mary's Grace Golden on April 21, 2008. ODU returns to the field this Friday, April 10 at 4:00 pm as they host George Mason at the Powhatan Sports Complex. The Patriots are 5-5 overall and 1-1 in the CAA.