Sept. 18, 2012
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IOWA CITY, Iowa — For the second consecutive week, University of Iowa senior goalkeeper Kathleen McGraw has been selected as the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, the conference office announced Tuesday. It is McGraw’s third career honor.
McGraw earned the accolade after leading the Hawkeyes to a 2-1 victory over No. 20 Albany on Sept. 16 at Grant Field. The Atherton, Calif., native made eight saves and had a .889 save percentage against an aggressive Great Dane offensive attack that had 15 shots and 11 penalty corners.
“Merty kept the defense tough at the end of the game when it mattered the most,” said UI head coach Tracey Griesbaum. “She is training well throughout the week and that is leading to solid performances on the weekend. It was great to get the win versus a tough opponent.”
McGraw shared the defensive honor with Indiana’s Maggie Olson.
McGraw is 5-2 with a 1.54 goals against average, a .738 save percentage and three shutouts on the season. The three shutouts are tied for the Big Ten lead.
The Hawkeyes also moved up one spot to No. 13 in the Sept. 18 Penn Monto/National Field Hockey Coaches Association rankings. Iowa received 344 points in the poll.
Iowa returns to action Friday afternoon with its Big Ten Conference opener at No. 15 Michigan State. Play is set to begin at 2 p.m. (CT).