Bucknell University Athletics
Brinkman Tabbed Patriot League Women's Soccer Rookie of the Week
10/30/2006 7:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 30, 2006
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell women's soccer freshman Chelsea Brinkman (Clearwater, Fla./Palm Harbor University HS) was recognized for her performance in the Orange and Blue's victory over then-ranked No. 14 Navy on Sunday as she was tabbed the Patriot League BRINE Rookie of the Week, the league office announced on Monday. Her award, the first of her career, marked the ninth time a member of the Bison has received a weekly honor from the Patriot League this season.
Brinkman set up both goals for Bucknell in the squad's 2-1 win against the Mids, which brought an end to Navy's perfect record of 19-0-0, the longest winning streak in the nation. Her first assist came on a goal by sophomore Nicole Marotta (Bridgewater, N.J./Mount St. Mary Academy), who was named to the Patriot League's honorable mention list this week, as Marotta connected with Brinkman's corner kick and headed the ball into the net in the 43rd minute, tying the score at one. The tally snapped a 983:28-minute shutout streak for the Midshipmen, which dated back to a 4-1 victory over Albany on Sept. 22nd.
Then in the 69th minute, Brinkman served the ball into the box on a free kick and it was sent home by junior Krista Lee Gentile (North Haledon, N.J./Immaculate Heart Academy) for her fifth game-winner and ninth goal of the season, overall, earning her Patriot League honorable mention recognition.
Senior goalkeeper Katie Dry (Rochester, N.Y./Our Lady of Mercy) was named honorable mention as well, after collecting her 12th win of the season and 30th of her career, turning aside three shots against Navy.
The Bison continued their climb up the Soccer Buzz Mid-Atlantic regional poll this Monday, improving on their No. 12 ranking from last week up to a new program-best No. 8 ranking. With the victory over the Midshipmen, Bucknell earned a share of the Patriot League regular season title and the right to host the league tournament as the No. 1 seed. The Orange and Blue will take on No. 4-seed Colgate this Friday in the Patriot League semifinal round at 7:15 p.m. on Varsity Soccer Field.
