PITMAN --- The New Jersey Athletic Conference announced its field hockey weekly honors for the week ending Sept. 27.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
SYDNEY KOWALCZYK • Rowan University
Sophomore • Midfielder/Defender • Medford, NJ/Moorestown
Kowalczyk has been named NJAC Offensive Player of the Week after helping Rowan sweep three nationally ranked opponents and extend its win streak to six games. The sophomore totaled two goals, one assist and five points in wins over #24 Swarthmore, #25 Lynchburg and #17 Washington and Lee. She opened the scoring in the first quarter of a 2-1 win at Lynchburg. She then assisted on the Profs' first goal at Washington and Lee and scored the game-winner with 1:15 remaining for a 3-2 come-from-behind victory. Kowalczyk leads Rowan with six goals and four assists on the season, helping the Profs turn an 0-3 start into a 6-3 record.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
AURELIA MCMANIS • Rowan University
Senior • Defender • Blackwood, NJ/Triton Regional
McManis claims NJAC Defensive Player of the Week after anchoring a Rowan back line that held three nationally ranked opponents to five combined goals, all in wins. The run extended the Profs' win streak to six games after starting the year 0-3. The senior defender registered a defensive save in a ranked win, and added two goals and two assists to help on the other end of the field. She opened the scoring in a 3-2 overtime win at #24 Swarthmore. In a 2-1 win at #25 Lynchburg, she made a defensive save in the third quarter and assisted on Mia Foti's game-winner with under five minutes left. In a 3-2 victory at #17 Washington and Lee, McManis scored Rowan's first goal and set up the equalizer with less than five minutes remaining, before the Profs won it with 1:15 to play.
ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
REBECCA PALUMBO • William Paterson University
Freshman • Midfielder • Westbury, NY/W.T. Clarke
Palumbo has been selected as NJAC Rookie of the Week after scoring her first career goal in William Paterson's win over Sweet Briar. Her tally, set up by Julia Dennehy, was the Pioneers' lone goal in regulation as William Paterson went on to win in a shootout for its first victory of the season. Palumbo put four of her five shots on goal.