Iritxity Irigoyen, Causarano named NFHCA Division I National Players of the Week

Oct 11, 2023 | 2023-2024, Division I, News

MANAHAWKIN, NJ  —  Senior goalkeeper from No. 7 Liberty University, Azul Iritxity Irigoyen, and junior midfielder from No. 4 Rutgers University, Guillermina Causarano, have been named this week’s NFHCA Division I Defensive and Offensive Players of the Week, respectively.

Junior midfielder/defender from No. 19 University at Albany, Alison Smisdom, and senior forward from College of the Holy Cross, Sarah Potter, have received honorable mention nods for Division I Defensive and Offensive Players of the Week, respectively, as well.

NFHCA Division I Defensive Player of the Week

 

Azul Iritxity Irigoyen, No. 7 Liberty University, Sr., Goalkeeper (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

  • Posted a 2-0 record, 0.49 GAA, 12 saves and a .923 save percentage in wins over Villanova and then No. 1 North Carolina.
  • Led Liberty’s defensive effort in holding North Carolina to its lowest scoring output (one goal) of the season in the double OT victory.
  • Ranks third in the nation in save percentage (.839) and fifth in the nation in GAA (0.67).

NFHCA Division I Offensive Player of the Week

 

Guillermina Causarano, No. 4 Rutgers University, Jr., Midfielder (Salta , Argentina)

  • Became first Rutgers player since 2018 to reach double-figures in goals (10), leading the Scarlet Knights offense to a 12-0 record – the only remaining undefeated team in Division I.
  • Scored the decisive goal in overtime to lift Rutgers to a 2-1 win over No. 16 Michigan.
  • Netted opening goal in 4-2 victory against in-state rival Monmouth.

NFHCA Division I Defensive Player of the Week Honorable Mention

 

Alison Smisdom, No. 19 University at Albany, Jr., Midfielder/Defender (Antwerp, Belgium)

  • Tallied a hat trick, including the game-winner, in a 6-2 victory over UC Davis.
  • Scored three times and made a defensive save to help Albany to a shutout of Stanford, clinching a postseason berth in a 2-0 week.

NFHCA Division I Offensive Player of the Week Honorable Mention

 

Sarah Potter, College of the Holy Cross, Sr., Forward (North Reading, Massachusetts)

  • Totaled seven points on three goals and one assist to help Holy Cross go 2-0 last week, with wins against Merrimack (6-1) and Lehigh (3-0).
  • Assisted on the eventual game-winning goal against the Mountain Hawks, then netted the game’s second goal to give the Crusaders a 2-0 lead.

The National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) is a nonprofit organization serving field hockey coaches and supporters of the game from across the United States. The mission of the organization is to champion, strengthen, and celebrate field hockey coaches and the game. The NFHCA strives to cultivate and recognize the professional contributions of its membership and to foster and promote the growth of the sport. The NFHCA is responsible for providing a recognizable presence and voice in regard to legislation affecting the sport as well as interscholastic and intercollegiate programs.