Matthews Named Defensive Player of the Week
October 30, 2007 | Women's Hockey
After registering a goal and three assists in the Badgers' sweep over Minnesota State last weekend, Wisconsin junior defenseman Alycia Matthews has been named the WCHA Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced on Tuesday.
Last Friday, Matthews (Castlegar, British Columbia) assisted on each of Wisconsin 's first two goals and then scored what proved to be the game-winner midway through the second period. The goal was the third of Matthews' career, with all three proving to be game-winning goals.
On Saturday, Matthews helped the Badgers break a 2-2 tie late in the third period when her lead pass from the UW zone found freshman Hilary Knight on a breakaway for the game-winning goal.
Matthews, who has recorded at least one point in seven of Wisconsin's 10 games, is tied for second in the nation in points among defenders with nine (2g, 7a). She has already tied her career high for points in a season, matching her nine points in 39 games during the 2005-06 season.
The award is the first of Matthews' career and the first Defensive Player of the Week Award by a Badger since Meaghan Mikkelson claimed the honor on Jan. 8, 2007.
Matthews and the No.1 Badgers continue WCHA play when they host No. 6/7 Minnesota Nov. 2-3. Faceoff is set for 2 p.m. each day at the Kohl Center.
