Courtesy Fitchburg State Sports Information

FITCHBURG, Mass. (October 13, 2009) - Junior Taylor Van Ahnen (Seekonk, Mass./Seekonk) and classmate Jordan Cannava (Woburn, Mass./Melrose) earned Player of the Week honors in their respective sports as selected by league officials Monday afternoon.

Van Ahnen collects her second consecutive Goalie of the Week honor after leading Fitchburg State to an impressive 2-0 week. Van Ahnen paved the way for the Falcons in a 1-0 penalty stroke victory over Bridgewater State, while aiding the Falcons in a convincing 6-1 victory over Eastern Connecticut State University.

The Seekonk, Mass. native set the Fitchburg State single-game record for saves against Bridgewater State, stopping each of the 19 shots by the Bears. Van Ahnen was stellar in the overtime sessions with eight stops, including five in the final frame. Her 19 saves are the highest total by a Little East Conference goalkeeper this season and 16th best in the nation. Earlier in the week, Van Ahnen did not have to make a save in 35 minutes of action against Eastern Connecticut. 

This season, Van Ahnen has been nothing short of spectacular, posting a team-best 45 saves, a .900 save percentage and a minimal 0.93 goals against average (GAA). She currently ranks second in the Little East Conference in goals against average and save percentage, while ranking third in shutouts (3) and saves per game (6.43).

The Fitchburg State field hockey team (8-3, 6-1 LEC) will be back in action on Thursday as it travels to Nichols College at 7 p.m. The Fitchburg State football team (4-2, 3-1 NEFC) will visit Worcester State College on Saturday at 12 p.m.