Mantione, Wierzbicki NFHCA DIII Field Hockey Players of the Week

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO  — Rebecca Mantione, a graduate student forward/midfielder from William Smith, and Lily Wierzbicki, a senior goalkeeper from the Stevens Institute of Technology, have been named this week’s NFHCA Division III Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively. Gabi Moroney, a senior forward from the Stevens Institute of Technology, and Adriana Palladinetti, a senior goalkeeper from Ursinus College, also received honorable mention nods for Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week.

NFHCA Division III Offensive Player of the Week

Rebecca Mantione, William Smith, Graduate Student, Forward/Midfielder (Baldwinsville, NY)

• Powered the Herons’ 2-0 weekend with four goals and nine points, playing a decisive role in both victories.
• Delivered a hat trick in the comeback against Gettysburg, scoring twice in the final 10 minutes to force overtime before netting the double-OT game-winner in a 5-4 thriller.
• Added the lone goal in a shootout win over Lebanon Valley, extending a three-game scoring streak and earning Liberty League Offensive Performer of the Week honors.

NFHCA Division III Defensive Player of the Week

Lily Wierzbicki, Stevens Institute of Technology, Senior, Goalkeeper (Davis, CA)

• Posted 11 saves in an upset win over then No. 9 Rowan, Stevens’ highest-ranked win in program history.
• Added 7 saves in a 5-1 win vs. then No. 22 Swarthmore, anchoring both wins over ranked opposition.

NFHCA Division III Honorable Mention

Offensive: Gabi Moroney, Stevens Institute of Technology, Senior, Forward (Granby, MA)

• Scored three goals in ranked wins over then No. 9 Rowan and No. 22 Swarthmore, including the game-winner vs. Rowan.

Defensive: Adriana Palladinetti, Ursinus College, Senior, Goalkeeper (Wilmington, DE)

• Recorded back-to-back shutouts, including a 4-0 win over DeSales and a 1-0 road victory at then No. 15 Lynchburg, with a career-high of 11 saves to preserve the win.