PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Freshmen Natalie Merrick (East Longmeadow, Mass.) and Claire Toleman (Cambridge, N.Y.) earned Little East Conference (LEC) weekly honors, the league announced on Monday.
 
Merrick was named the LEC Field Hockey Goalkeeper of the Week, while Toleman collected Rookie of the Week recognition after leading the Panthers to a 2-0 week.
 
Merrick posted a 1.00 goals against average and a .917 save percentage as Plymouth State picked up non-conference wins over Rivier and Dean last week. She recorded 13 saves in Wednesday's 6-2 home victory over the Raiders, then secured her first career shutout with nine saves in Friday's 3-0 win at Dean.
 
Toleman tallied her first two collegiate goals across the two games. With PSU leading Rivier 2-1, her first career goal sparked a decisive 3-0 run to help the Panthers pull away for a comfortable 6-2 win. She added a fourth-quarter insurance goal on Friday to lock up the victory over the Bulldogs.
 
Merrick currently shares the league lead with her one shutout. She also ranks third in saves per game (8.33), fourth in save percentage (.746), and fifth in goals against average (2.83). Toleman's five points and two goals both rank fourth on the team and among the top 20 in the LEC.
 
Winners of three straight, the Panthers return home to face New England College on Wednesday (Sept. 24) at 4:00 p.m.