Monday, October 4, 2004
Written By Jason Varney

PANZER NAMED NESCAC FIELD HOCKEY PLAYER OF THE WEEK

MEDFORD -- Senior tri-captain Dana Panzer (Sayville, NY/Sayville) has been named NESCAC Field Hockey Player of the Week for the week of September 27 through October 3.  The Tufts senior played a role in all five of the Jumbos' goals in two games this week, scoring three and assisting on two others.  Panzer is the first Tufts player to earn the award since Kathleen Martin did so on September 22, 2003.

Panzer netted her first goal of the week against Babson on Thursday (Sept. 30), in a game dominated by defense on both ends.  With the score tied at zero well into the second half, Panzer finally put Tufts on the board with 21:30 remaining in the match, one-timing a pass from teammate Stacey Watkins (St. Louis, MO/John Burroughs) past the opposing goalie.  Nine minutes later, Panzer assisted freshman Katie Pagos (Short Hills, NJ/Newark Academy) to get an insurance goal en route to a 2-0 win for the Jumbos.

In the second match of the week for Tufts, against Bates, Panzer and fellow captain Lea Napolitano (Waltham, MA/Waltham) were responsible for all three of Tufts' goals, as the Jumbos garnered their fifth win of the season.  With 9:05 left in the first half, Napolitano put away a Panzer rebound to put the Jumbos up 1-0.  The second half saw two goals from Panzer, each off assists from Napolitano as the Jumbos handled the Bobcats easily, 3-0.

Her performances this week put Panzer atop all NESCAC players in points per game, averaging 3.0 points every time she steps on the field.  Panzer is also second in the conference in goals per game, with 1.14, and tied for fifth in assists with 0.71.  The senior currently leads her team in total points, goals, assists and shots, putting up impressive numbers across the board.

Panzer, goal-less entering this season, has netted eight goals through seven games this season, alongside five assists. The Jumbos, coached by Tina McDavitt, stand tied for third in NESCAC with a 2-2 mark (5-2 overall), and a 4-0 record at home.  They will look to extend their current win streak this coming Saturday at Bowdoin.

#