Sept. 20, 2011
PARK RIDGE, Ill. -- For the second time this year, Northwestern's Chelsea Armstrong and Maddy Carpenter garnered recognition from the Big Ten, taking home Offensive Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week, respectively. Both players have been instrumental during Northwestern's four-game winning streak, vaulting the Wildcats into 15th place in this week's 2011 Kookaburra/NFHCA National Coaches Polls.
Over the course of the week, which included three-straight Wildcat victories, two of which came over top-20 teams, Armstrong racked up 13 points, scoring six goals and adding an assist. With those 13 points, the junior became Northwestern's all-time scoring leader with 145 career points and tied the school's career mark for career goals scored with 59.
Tuesday, Armstrong tallied the game winner in Northwestern's 3-1 road triumph at Ball State. Facing No. 11 California at home Friday, Armstrong scored the game's first two goals and assisted on the third in the 3-1 victory over the previously unbeaten Golden Bears.
Northwestern found itself down 2-0 to No. 18 Virginia late in the first half on Sunday, but Armstrong's goal with 58 seconds left in the period - which gave her the career points record - put the wheels in motion for a Wildcat comeback. Less than a minute into the second half, Armstrong sent in a rocket from the top of the circle to tie things up at 2-2. Eight minutes later, the Aussie completed a hat trick - the sixth of her career - that put Northwestern up, 3-2. The Wildcats scored two more down the stretch for the 5-3 win.
It is the second time this season Armstrong, last year's Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, was tabbed the player of the week. She now has 11 Big Ten Player of the Week accolades on her career.
Carpenter, meanwhile, registered seven saves over two and a half game this week, while only allowing five goals, four of which came against two top-20 opponents.
No. 11 California entered its game against Northwestern on Friday as a top-five scoring team in the nation--averaging 4.70 goals per outing -- but Carpenter only allowed one goal against the Golden Bears, racking up two crucial saves.
No. 18 Virginia came to Evanston averaging 4.25 goals during their four wins this season. On Sunday, Carpenter's second-half performance -- two saves to only one goal allowed -- enabled Northwestern to grab a 3-2 lead and retain it for the rest of the game, ensuring a 5-3 Wildcat victory over the Cavaliers.
Northwestern takes its four-game winning streak on the road this week to face Indiana in Bloomington, Ind., on Sept. 23 and New Hampshire in Louisville, Ky., on Sept. 24.
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