Sept. 28, 2009

EASTON, Pa. - Lafayette women's soccer goalkeeper Lauren Smedley worked long minutes and extended her shutout streak to over 300 minutes, thus being named this week's Brine Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Week.

Smedley began her week by shutting out Saint Peter's on Tuesday evening. She recorded nine saves as the Leopards earned a draw with the Peahens despite outshooting them 17-14.

Three days later, she was an integral part to a 1-0 Leopard victory over NJIT. She used help from the Lafayette defense, only forcing Smedley to make three saves in the victory. Junior forward Stephanie Bereday took care of the offensive end, scoring a 43rd minute goal from sophomore Dana Moyer for the game's only goal.

On Sunday, Smedley capped off her week and extended her shutout streak to three games and 323 minutes of scoreless soccer. She tallied nine saves on the afternoon as Lafayette battled Wagner to a scoreless tie.

The three shutouts brings Smedley's season total to four. She currently has 56 saves on the season and a 1.31 goals against average in 2009.

Head coach Mick Statham expressed his happiness for both Smedley and with the defensive effort.

"It's a great honor for Lauren to get Goalkeeper of the Week," Statham said.

"The team has played well defensively of late and keeping clean sheets keeps us in games. Lauren is a very talented but humble player that has massive potential to be one of the best. Her temperament is very good so she won't get carried away. She is very ambitious, listens to what she is been told and then applies it. She has a very bright future in front of her."

Lafayette stands at 3-6-2 and looking forward to a week of preparation for the Patriot League opener on Saturday afternoon against Holy Cross. Kick-off is set for 1 p.m. at Mike Bourger '44 Field at Oaks Stadium. Saturday's contest will be part of the Lafayette Sports Marketing and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee's "Super Fan" Day at the Metzgar Athletic Fields Complex.