Matson, Taylor named Play Safe/NFHCA Division I National Players of the Week

Oct 21, 2020 | 2020-2021, Division I, News

BROCKPORT, N.Y. — Syd Taylor, junior goalkeeper from Syracuse University, and Erin Matson, junior forward from the University of North Carolina, have been named this week’s Play Safe/NFHCA Division I Defensive and Offensive Players of the Week, respectively.

Play Safe/NFHCA Division I Defensive Player of the Week

 

Syd Taylor, Syracuse University, Jr., Goalkeeper (Coatesville, Pennsylvania)

Taylor and Syracuse University went 1-1 in ACC games last weekend. Taylor faced 20 shots and conceded only one goal.

Taylor and the Orange bounced back after the 1-0 loss to the University of North Carolina on Friday with a 2-1 win on Sunday against Wake Forest University. The ‘Cuse defense, led by Taylor, was dominant over the two-game stretch denying opponents scoring opportunities on 12-of-13 penalty corners.

Taylor was named ACC Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday.

Play Safe/NFHCA Division I Offensive Player of the Week

 

Erin Matson, University of North Carolina, Jr., Forward (Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania)

Matson had a hand in all three game-winning goals for the University of North Carolina last week.

Against the University of Virginia on Monday, Matson assisted on the game-winning goal that led the Tar Heels to a 2-1 win. On Friday against Syracuse University, Matson broke the 0-0 tie in the 53rd minute of the match to secure the win for the Tar Heels. Then, on Sunday against Duke, Matson tallied four points on two assists and a goal in the 5-4 Tar Heel win. She scored to tie the game at 2-2, then assisted on UNC’s fourth goal of the game, and finally assisted on the overtime game winner to end the contest.

Matson has either scored or assisted on the game-winning goal in all six UNC victories this season. She has a team-best four game-winning goals and leads the team in both goals and assists with six each.

Matson was named ACC Offensive Player of the Week on Tuesday.

Play Safe Turf & Track is the Official Sponsor of the collegiate 2020-2021 NFHCA Players of the Week Program.

Play Safe is well known as the best installation and repair company in the hockey business. Play Safe offers an FIH-certified product and FIH-certified build team.

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 stimulate the professional development of coaching leadership within the sport of field hockey. 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.