Lauren Henderson and Abby Ostruzka named BIG EAST Field Hockey Players of the Week

STORRS, Conn. (November 1, 2004) — University of Connecticut senior Lauren Henderson (Avondale Harare, Zimbabwe) has been named BIG EAST Field Hockey Offensive Player of the Week, while fellow senior Abby Ostruzka (Riverside, Conn.) was recognized as the BIG EAST Field Hockey Defensive Player of the Week for the period ending Oct. 31, BIG EAST officials announced today.

Henderson scored three goals and added two assists while leading the Huskies to wins over Fairfield and Providence last week. She matched her single-season high with her 28th goal in the win over Providence, which is three goals shy of tying the UConn single-season record of 31 which is currently held by Rose Apelin (1996).

Henderson ranks first among BIG EAST leaders in both goals (28) and points (61) this season. In addition, Henderson ranks second among national leaders in goals and is third in points.

Ostruzka is the leader of UConn’s defensive unit which is ranked No. 1 nationally and is allowing just 0.46 goals per game. She posted a goal and an assist last week while leading the Huskies to back-to-back shutouts.

UConn has not allowed a goal in each of its last six games - and has out-scored its opponents 85-9 this season.

The honor marks the 10th time Henderson has received the conference’s weekly honor, including three times this season. Ostruzka was recognized for the second time this season.

The Huskies open play at the 2004 BIG EAST Conference Championship on Friday, Nov. 5 beginning at 5:00 p.m. (ET) when the No. 1 seed Huskies face No. 4 seed Villanova on the campus of Syracuse University.