SOARING FALCONS

Taylor Van Ahnen

Field Hockey

Junior Taylor Van Ahnen (Seekonk, Mass./Seekonk) was named the Little East Conference Goalie of the Week for the second week in a row after leading Fitchburg State to a perfect 2-0 mark this week.

Van Ahnen collects her second consecutive Goalie of the Week honor after paving the way for the Falcons in a 1-0 penalty stroke victory over Bridgewater State and aiding the Fitchburg State in a convincing 6-1 victory over Eastern Connecticut State University.

The Seekonk, Mass. native set the Fitchburg State single-game record for saves against Bridgewater State, stopping each of the 19 shots by the Bears. Van Ahnen was stellar in the overtime sessions with eight stops, including five in the final frame. Her 19 saves are the highest total by a Little East Conference goalkeeper this season and 16th best in the nation. Earlier in the week, Van Ahnen did not have to make a save in 35 minutes of action against Eastern Connecticut. 

This season, Van Ahnen has been nothing short of spectacular, posting a team-best 45 saves, a .900 save percentage and a minimal 0.93 goals against average (GAA). She currently ranks second in the Little East Conference in goals against average and save percentage, while ranking third in shutouts (3) and saves per game (6.43).

The Fitchburg State field hockey team (8-3, 6-1 LEC) will be back in action on Thursday as it travels to Nichols College at 7 p.m.