Heck, Irigoyen named NFHCA Division I National Players of the Week
Photo credit: Liberty Athletics, UNC Athletic Communications
GENEVA, N.Y. — Junior goalkeeper from No. 13 Liberty University, Azul Iritxity Irigoyen, and first-year midfielder/forward from No. 1 University of North Carolina, Ryleigh Heck, have been named this week’s NFHCA Division I Defensive and Offensive Players of the Week sponsored by ScoreBreak, respectively. The performance of No. 4 University of Michigan, Kathryn Peterson, merited an honorable mention.
NFHCA Division I Defensive Player of the Week
Azul Iritxity Irigoyen, No. 13 Liberty University, Jr., Goalkeeper (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
- Led Liberty to their second consecutive BIG EAST Championship title
- Made a total of 13 saves throughout the tournament while only allowing two goals
- Made nine saves in the 2-1 BIG EAST semifinal victory vs then-No. 14 University of Connecticut
- Made four saves in the 3-1 BIG EAST championship victory vs then-No. 13 Old Dominion University
- Named the Most Outstanding Player of the BIG EAST Championship
NFHCA Division I Offensive Player of the Week
Ryleigh Heck, No. 1 University of North Carolina, Fr., Midfielder/Forward (North Beach, New Jersey)
- Scored three key goals during the ACC tournament to help UNC capture their sixth consecutive title
- Scored one goal in the 2-1 ACC semifinal victory vs then-No. 10 Syracuse University
- Scored two goals in the 3-2 ACC championship victory vs then-No. 5 University of Virginia
- Tied for second in the ACC for goals (16) and ranks seventh nationally for goals per game (.94)
- This is Heck’s second NFHCA Player of the Week recognition this season
Honorable Mention
Kathryn Peterson, No. 4 University of Michigan, Fifth Year, Midfielder, (San Diego, California)
- Helped lead Michigan to their eighth Big Ten Tournament title in program history
- Scored both of Michigan’s goals in the 2-1 semifinal win over then-No. 3 Penn State University
- Named Big Ten Tournament MVP