Bucknell's Nicole Marotta Named Patriot League Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
9/15/2008 8:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 15, 2008
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell senior defender Nicole Marotta (Bridgewater, N.J./Mount St. Mary Academy) has been named the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week after her big game in the team's 4-0 win over Mount St. Mary's last Thursday.
In that contest, Bucknell was clinging to a 1-0 lead early in the second half when Marotta scored twice on consecutive corner kicks. First she volleyed one in with her foot, then her second goal came just over five minutes later on a header from almost an identical spot near the back post.
It was the first career two-goal game for the Bison captain, and it gave her four goals on the season, already doubling her previous career high. Marotta is now second in the Patriot League in goals scored - behind only fellow Bucknell captain Jennifer Dervarics (6) - and third in the league in points.
Marotta's scoring burst only adds to her already stellar defensive work. A two-time All-Patriot League back and the 2006 PL Defensive Player of the Year, Marotta was part of a defense that limited Mount St. Mary's two only two shots in 90 minutes on Thursday.
In Sunday's 3-2 loss at Virginia Commonwealth, Marotta left the game early with a minor injury. One of VCU's goals came on the play in which she was injured, and the other came with her on the sideline.
Bucknell is now 3-3-1 on the season, with six of the team's first seven matches coming on the road. Six of the next seven will be at home, starting Friday night against Temple.