University Park, Pa. — Penn State field hockey goalkeeper Ayla Halus (Hershey, Pa.) has been named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, as announced on Monday. The redshirt sophomore, who earns the Lions' second weekly award in as many weeks, picked up her third straight double-digit save total on Friday against No. 5 Connecticut.
The award comes only a week after sophomore Kelsey Amy (Sweet Valley, Pa.) was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week. Penn State's last defensive player of the week came when senior Ali Meves (Lower Gwynedd, Pa.) was honored last Oct. 5 after making 11 saves vs. No. 18 Ohio State.
Halus made 12 stops against the Huskies, 10 coming in the first 35:00 to keep the game scoreless at the half. In her first three games, she has made 13, 10 and 12 saves, respectively, with all coming against ranked foes. Two of the three teams - Virginia and UConn - are among the top five in the nation.
The 12 saves were one shy of her career-high set in the season-opener vs. No. 16 Old Dominion. It also marked Halus' second 10-save half of the season. She also made 10 in the first-half against the Monarchs. Overall, Halus owns a Big Ten-leading 87.5 save percentage, stopping 35 of 40 shots sent her way.
Halus and the Nittany Lions return to action on Sunday when they play host to local rival Lock Haven at 12 p.m. at the Penn State Field Hockey Complex.