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

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.
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