TicketsFeb. 23, 2009
CINCINNATI - University of Cincinnati freshman Laura Simanski (Reisterstown, Md./Roland Park) was named the BIG EAST Conference Offensive Player of the Week following her outstanding performances last week vs. Presbyterian, Duquesne, and Robert Morris.
Cincinnati, in its first season as a member of the BIG EAST Conference for the sport of lacrosse, claimed one offensive award while Jen Heup from Louisville earned Defensive Player of the Week honors for the first week of the season.
Simanski helped the Bearcats to a 3-0 start in their first season of BIG EAST play totaling 13 goals to begin the year. She also had six ground balls, six draw controls and six caused turnovers over the three contests. Simanski averaged 4.3 goals per game and had a program-record six goals in an 11-10 overtime win against Robert Morris on Feb. 22. She also had a score in overtime to go along with four ground balls, three draw controls and three caused turnovers at Robert Morris. Simanski has scored on 65 percent of her shots this season and leads the league with 13 goals.
In addition to Simanski's award, classmate Katherine Russo (Westminster, Md./Winters Mills) was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll. Russo helped hold all three opponents to 10 goals or less, had 14 saves in an 11-8 win at Duquesne on Feb. 20, and recorded nine saves in the 11-10 overtime win against Robert Morris on Feb. 22.
UC returns to action on Wednesday, March 4 for a 4 p.m. game at No. 15 Johns Hopkins.