Laytos Selected Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week
9/24/2007 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
PARK RIDGE, Ill. -- Sophomore Paige Laytos (Lititz, Pa./Warwick HS) of the University of Michigan field hockey team was named Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Week Monday (Sept. 24) in recognition of her performance in Wolverines' home sweep against a pair of nationally-ranked opponents, Iowa and Penn State, in the conference's opening weekend.
Laytos
Laytos netted her second goal of the season against the No. 3-ranked Hawkeyes on Friday (Sept. 21), keying the late U-M comeback with a point-blank goal at the 64:24 mark. It would be the first of three unanswered goals for the Wolverines, who claimed the 3-2 upset win in double overtime.
The Wolverine sophomore also played a major role in Michigan's stellar defensive efforts from her position at center midfield. U-M held both Iowa and PSU without a single shot or penalty-corner opportunity in the second half, outshooting the opposition a combined 21-0 and outcornering them 13-0 in the final 35 minutes of play. Michigan currently owns a four-game winning streak with shutout victories in two of their last three appearances.
The weekly accolade is the second of Laytos' career. She was recognized last season (Oct. 9, 2006) after registering five points (2-1-5) in U-M' back-to-back wins over Michigan State and Miami (Ohio). Michigan has claimed a Big Ten weekly citation in each of the last three weeks as Laytos' honor adds to back-to-back offensive accolade for senior captain Lucia Belassi (Paysandu, Uruguay/Liceo #1).
The Wolverines will square off against a pair of regional opponents this weekend. The Wolverines travel to Columbus, Ohio, to face rival Ohio State Friday (Sept. 28) at 4 p.m., before welcoming Miami (Ohio) to Phyllis Ocker Sunday (Sept. 30) at 1 p.m.
Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
