NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Freshman Maddy Gootjes (Quispamsis, New Brunswick) of the Albertus Magnus College field hockey team was named Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Rookie of the Week, while goaltender Samantha Helwig (Northford, Conn.) was named to the Weekly Honor Roll.

Gootjes led the Falcons offensively last week, as the freshman opened the week with a two-goal performance against Manhattanville in a 4-3 loss. Gootjes opened the second period with a quick strike to give Albertus the 1-0 lead. Gootjes also scored early in the fourth quarter to cut the Falcon's deficit to 3-2 at the time. 

In the first win of the season over Elms in a GNAC match,  Gootjes netted a pair of goals to help propel the Falcons to their first victory of the 2023 season, 4-1. 

Helwig averaged 2.5 goals-against, while making 12 saves across a pair of complete-game contests. Helwig made four saves against Manhattanville. Against Elms, Helwig tied her season-high with eight saves, while allowing just one goal.