Bucknell University Athletics
Big Field Hockey Win Nets Trio of Honors
10/28/2002 7:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Oct. 28, 2002
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Following Saturday's crucial 2-1 Patriot League victory over Fairfield, two Bucknell field hockey players have garnered player of the week accolades. Junior defender Kate Ruda (Mountaintop, Pa./Crestwood H.S.) was named Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week, while freshman forward Kelly O'Brien (Rye, N.Y./Rye H.S.) collected both Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week and Bull Run Inn Bison Athlete of the Week honors.
In two games this week, both Bison victories, Ruda logged 12 interceptions and eight positive tackles. In a 2-0 road win at Siena last Tuesday, she recorded six interceptions and five tackles. In the Fairfield game, she was asked to switch positions from left back to center midfielder to help neutralize one of the Stags key players. Despite playing out of position, Ruda still led the team in defensive plays.
The defensive player of the week honor is the first of Ruda's career.
Also honored for the first time is O'Brien, one of the Patriot League's top rookies in 2002. O'Brien scored the two biggest goals of her college career in the Fairfield win. She staked the Bison to a 1-0 lead with a goal just 2:23 into the contest. Later, with the game tied at 1-apiece, she scored the game-winning goal with only 5:43 left in regulation.
O'Brien is now tied for second on the team with five goals this season.
Bucknell is currently tied for third with Holy Cross in the Patriot League with a 3-2 league record (7-9 overall). The top four teams in the regular season standings qualify for the postseason conference tournament. Bucknell and Fairfield had been tied for the final playoff spot until the Bison's key victory over the defending league champs on Saturday.
The Bison visit American this Saturday at 1 p.m. in their conference finale. A victory would clinch a top-four standing and a postseason berth.
