Oct. 25, 2011
RICHMOND, Va. - Old Dominion freshman Kelsey Smither (Suffolk, Va.) is the Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Week, the league announced Tuesday. The Lady Monarchs also remain No. 1 in the polls, garnering all but three first-place votes after a 2-0 week against conference foes.
Smither scored a pair of goals in two ODU wins this past week. The freshman netted her third goal of the season in a 7-1 Lady Monarch victory over James Madison Friday and two days later she posted her fourth goal of the year in a 6-1 ODU triumph over VCU.
The Lakeland High standout also contributed heavily on the defensive side of the ball as the Lady Monarchs allowed just four shots total in both games, including a season-low one shot allowed verse VCU Sunday.
Smither is the first Old Dominion field hockey player to win rookie honors since Lydia Velzian did so on September 13.
In the latest Kookaburra / NFHCA Division I National Coaches Poll, Old Dominion (17-1, 7-0 CAA) remained No. 1 for the sixth straight week. North Carolina, Maryland, Connecticut and Syracuse remain 2-5 in this week's poll.
Old Dominion wraps up the regular season this weekend at home against William & Mary Friday evening and verse No. 2 North Carolina on Sunday. The game against the Tar Heels will be a WHITE OUT and also senior day at Powhatan Sports Complex.
-ODU-