Dec. 8, 2003

FAIRFIELD, CT (December 8, 2003) - Freshman Michelle Panella (Marlboro, NJ) was named Sacred Heart University Athlete-of-the-Week for the week of December 1st through the 7th after recording four goals and five assists for nine points in a weekend series at St. Michael's College.

The native of Marlboro, NJ scored two goals with three assists on December 6th as the Pioneers overcame a 2-0 first period deficit to defeat the Purple Knights 6-2. She followed that performance with two goals and added two assists the following night in a 5-1 Sacred Heart win over St. Michael's. Panella is tops among NCAA Division-I rookies and ranks ninth overall in the nation with 11 goals and nine assists on the season for 20 points, an average of 1.82 points per game. She is also tied for fourth in the nation with an average of 1.00 goals per game and is tied for 14th in the nation with 0.87 assists per game.

The Pioneers will not be back in action until after the holidays when they travel to Wesleyan for a 7:00 pm game on January 23rd. The team will return home on January 24th for a 5:00 pm game against Boston University at the Milford Ice Pavilion.

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