BOSTON, Mass. – The New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) has announced its weekly awards and two Mount Holyoke College student-athletes have been recognized. Cassidy Robinson was named the Offensive Performer of the Week in soccer, while Liz DiCesare garnered Defensive Performer of the Week recognition in field hockey. This is the second honor of the season for both players.
A senior forward from Lebanon, N.H., Robinson factored in three of four Lyons goals last week to help MHC to a 2-0 mark in conference play. She assisted on both tallies in a 2-1 overtime win against Clark and then scored the game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Wellesley. That win over the Blue was the first for the Lyons in 10 years.
Robinson previously earned Offensive Performer of the Week on September 22nd after scoring all four of Mount Holyoke's goals in a 1-1 week – which included the program's first-ever win over Western New England University.
Through 13 games this season, Robinson leads the NEWMAC in points with 22 and is second among the conference's best in goals with nine. She also ranks sixth in the NEWMAC in assists with four. Robinson has added 37 shots, including 23 on goal.
Robinson, who is a graduate of Lebanon High School, scored four goals for eight points during her junior season, starting 15 games overall. As a sophomore, she played in four games and appeared in three contests during her first year with a goal to her credit.
A sophomore goalkeeper from Westford, Mass., DiCesare was outstanding last week, helping the #19 Lyons to a 2-0 mark. She improved upon her NEWMAC-best save percentage (.855) with two saves in a 7-1 win against Smith and then stopped eight shots to lead the Lyons to a 4-1 victory against Springfield.
DiCesare was also named the Defensive Performer of the Week on September 22nd. That week, she stopped 14 shots to lead MHC to a 1-0 victory over then #18 Williams.
Through 11 games, DiCesare sports a 9-2 overall record. She owns a 1.02 goals against average and the conference's best save percentage with a .855 mark. Additionally, she has made 59 saves and has surrendered just 10 goals this season. Currently, DiCesare ranks first in the NEWMAC in save percentage, third in goals against average and saves, as well as fourth in goals against.
A former standout at Bishop Guertin High School, DiCesare was the NEWMAC Rookie of the Year last season, posting an 18-3 mark as the starter in all 21 games. She owned a 1.14 goals against average with a .841 save percentage. In addition to 111 saves made over 1289:53 minutes of action, she recorded a shutout and five combined shutouts. Ranking first in the NEWMAC in wins and save percentage, she helped back the Lyons to its first NCAA Tournament win in program history, also advancing to the NCAA Second Round.
Mount Holyoke's soccer team (6-7; 2-3 NEWMAC) returns to action tonight when it travels to Coast Guard for a 7pm contest. The Lyons field hockey team (9-2; 3-1 NEWMAC) is in action on Saturday with a 12pm game at Babson.
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