Oct. 12, 2009
NORFOLK, Va. -- ODU freshman forward Ashlee Coutu (Lebanon, Conn./Lyman Memorial) was named both the Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Week and Co-Player of the Week today, after leading the Lady Monarchs in a pair of huge road contests this weekend.
The ODU rookie scored the game-winning goal against first place Hofstra University on Friday night and added an assist on the game-tying goal against Northeastern University on Sunday afternoon, despite playing a man down in the match. Her goal at Hofstra came in the first five minutes of the second half as she collected a rebound and laced it past the recovering goalkeeper for the score. It was the first loss for Hofstra in conference play and the goal halted a six-game unbeaten streak. Then, on Sunday, with her team down a player due to an issued red card, Coutu's pass set up the equalizer with just 9:14 remaining.
With the goal and assist, Coutu's team-leading points total runs to 20, giving ODU its second 20-point season from a true freshman in as many years. She leads the team in goals with eight, gamewinners with four, and points. She also is second on the team in assists with four. She also ranks fourth in the conference in points, tied for third in goals and tied for second in game-winning scores.
It is the second time this season Coutu was named CAA Rookie of the Week and her first mention as Player of the Week. She shares the Player of the Week nod with Delaware's Stephanie Rinschler.