March 16, 2009
WomensLax.com Official Release
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern freshman midfielder Shannon Smith (West Babylon, N.Y./West Babylon) has been named the WomensLax.com Rookie of the Week after a pair of impressive games against Hofstra and Rutgers. She becomes the second Wildcat to earn honors from the website after Hannah Nielsen was named Player of the Week on Feb. 23.
Smith tallied the first hat trick of her collegiate career against the Pride on March 12, netting three goals while also winning a pair of draw controls. Smith added another goal against the Scarlet Knights on March 14 while also taking a career-best four draw controls. Smith is tied for fifth on the team in points with 10, netting nine goals and adding an assist. She has also won nine draw controls and caused seven turnovers through the first eight games of the season.
Smith and the rest of the Wildcats look to maintain their undefeated record in a highly-anticipated showdown with fourth-ranked Syracuse on Sunday, March 22. The game will be a rematch of last season's 16-8 Wildcat victory in the NCAA semifinals. Opening draw is set for 1 p.m. at Lakeside Field.