Sheridan and Villanueva Collect LEC Honors

PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Two members of the Plymouth State University women’s lacrosse team were recognized by the Little East Conference Monday as the LEC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week.Senior Katie Sheridan earned the top LEC offensive weekly honor, and classmate Carmen Villanueva received the top weekly recognition on defense.  Sheridan and Villanueva were the 2003 LEC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year.A high-scoring midfielder, Sheridan netted 13 goals and added five assists for 18 points last week to lead the Panthers to a pair of road wins. She erupted for a season-high 11 points on eight goals and three assists in a 17-5 win at Gordon, and added five goals and two assists for seven points in a 17-2 LEC triumph over Western Connecticut. Sheridan, who leads the conference this season in goals (24), assists (13) and points (37), received the same weekly honor last Monday.PSU’s starting goaltender, Villanueva turned aside 18 of 25 shots in the two games last week for a sparkling .760 saves percentage, a 3.27 goals against average and a 2-0 record. She stopped 11 shots and yielded just four goals in the win at Gordon, and saved eight of 10 shots in the victory at Western Conn. Villanueva tops the conference in goals against average (3.93) and saves percentage (.708).In addition to her recognition by the LEC, Villanueva was also selected as the ECAC Division III Goaltender of the Week.As of Wednesday, Sheridan and Villanueva have led the Panthers to a 6-0 start to the season, including two conference wins. The Panthers’ next challenge will be Saturday, when theytravel south to playEastern Connecticut.