Oct. 3, 2000

tre Dame women’s soccer program picked up three more weekly BIG EAST Conference awards for the week of Sept. 24-Oct. 1, as senior midfielder Anne Makinen (Helsinki, Finland) was named co-player of the week, sophomore Vanessa Pruzinsky (Trumbull, Conn.) was named defensive player of the week, and freshman midfielder Randi Scheller (Kutztown, Pa.) was named rookie of the week.

Notre Dame has racked up nine BIG EAST awards this season, including five straight defensive awards (three by senior Kelly Lindsey and one by her classmate Kerri Bakker) and a pair of back-to-back rookie honors for forward Amy Warner.

Makinen-who again is a finalist for both the Hermann Trophy and the Missouri Athletic Club national player-of-the-year awards-has scored ND’s first goal (and game-winning goal) in each of the last three games and leads the Irish overall in both categories (with five of each). She scored from the top of the box to ignite a four-goal first half in the 6-0 win over Seton Hall on Oct. 29 and, two days later, converted a penalty kick to spark a two-goal flurry in the second half vs. Rutgers (a 2-0 win).

Makinen leads Notre Dame in goals (9) and points (26) for the season and has moved into fifth on the Irish career goals scored list (60), one behind ’97 graduate Cindy Daws.

Pruzinsky was a stalwart at left back for and Irish defense that pushed its season shutout total to seven. She played a key role in allowing just two shots during the weekend (none on goal), including just one shot in the final 176 minutes of the weekend. The Irish also allowed just one corner kick from both SHU and RU.

Pruzinsky also provided a pass down the left flank to set up Amanda Guertin’s goal that pushed the Irish ahead of Rutgers, 2-0 (for her first point of the season). She has helped Irish defense post a current 309-minute shutout streak that includes just three shots allowed (one on goal) in the last three games. The ND defense has allowed just one goal, (a PK at WVU )in the last 588 minutes of action) while the 0.36 team goals-against average is on pace to equal the team record set in 1997.

Scheller combined with Makinen to help the Irish dominate the midfield battle during the weekend, as the Irish owned a 66-2 shot edge (34-1 in shots on goal) and a 16-2 edge on corner kicks. She combined with senior forward Meotis Erikson while recording a goal and assist to help break open the SHU game before providing the primary assist on the second goal versus Rutgers.

In the 36th minute of the SHU game, Scheller worked a pass into the box to set up goal by Erikson. Five minutes later, Erikson made a run in to the left side of the box and held the ball before sliding a pass to her left and Scheller ran onto the ball in perfect position before sending a crossing shot into the right side of the net. In the RU game, Scheller took a feed from Pruzinksy and threaded a pass into the left side of the box, setting up Guertin’s goal.

Scheller’s solid play vs. RU helped overcome the absence of Warner, who did not play due to a leg injury.