PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Senior Kyla Napolitano (Warwick, R.I.) and freshman Natalie Merrick (East Longmeadow, Mass.) were recognized by the Little East Conference (LEC) on Monday, as the league announced its weekly field hockey honors.
 
Napolitano was named LEC Defensive Player of the Week, while Merrick repeated as Goalkeeper of the Week.
 
The duo played key roles in PSU's 2-1 overtime win over New England College on Wednesday – the Panthers' only contest of the week.
 
Merrick delivered another standout performance in goal, making 15 saves to secure the victory. With the game tied 1-1 entering the fourth quarter, she stopped eight shots in the frame and added two more in overtime to help PSU rally for the win.
 
When a rare shot slipped past Merrick, Napolitano was there to anchor the defense. The captain tallied two defensive saves, first clearing a ball off the goal line in the ninth minute to keep the game scoreless, then making another goal-saving play in the 29th minute.
 
The win extended PSU's winning streak to four games heading into Tuesday's (Sept. 30) non-conference home matchup with Johnson & Wales.