March 5, 2012
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Ellie Hilling, a junior goalkeeper for the University of Notre Dame women’s lacrosse team, has been tabbed BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week, it was announced Monday. Additionally, as a result of their early 3-0 start, the Irish enter the top 10 in the rankings for the first time this season.
Hilling put together a 16-save afternoon against the previously unbeaten Buckeyes this past Sunday (March 4) to help limit a potent Ohio State attack to only seven goals in a 16-7 triumph for the Irish. The 16 saves bested her previous career high by one, which came in a 15-save effort against Georgetown last season. Hilling now ranks fifth all-time in saves in Irish program history with 294.
While Hilling earned the weekly honor in large part due to her 16 saves, the Rochester, N.Y., product also led the Irish in ground balls on the day with six and caused two turnovers, both matching her previous career highs.
This is the third career selection for Hilling as BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week after twice being honored during her freshman campaign. She also becomes the second Irish player to earn BIG EAST Player of the Week honors this season, joining senior attacker Maggie Tamasitis who was named the Offensive Player of the Week following a one-goal, six-assist performance against Stanford in the team’s season opener.
With the victory over Ohio State and subsequent 3-0 start to the year, the Irish also climbed eight spots in the most recent deBeer/InsideLacrosse Media Poll, now ranking tied for seventh in the nation alongside Florida with 112 points. The seventh-ranked Irish return to the field this coming Saturday (March 10) when they head to Boston, Mass., to face Boston University.
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