Aug. 31, 2009

PHILADELPHIA - After helping La Salle Women's Soccer to a victory on Friday at Sacred Heart - part of the Explorers 3-0 week - freshman goalkeeper Gabrielle Pakhtigian has been named the Atlantic 10 Conference Rookie of the Week.

She registered nine saves in her collegiate debut on August 28 against the Pioneers as La Salle edged Sacred Heart, 1-0. Pakhtigian was solid all afternoon and preserved the win with a pair of saves in the final seven minutes of action.

In the process, she became the program's first keeper since Kaitlin Glass (1998-01) to record a solo shutout in her collegiate debut. Glass had five saves in a 2-0 win over Long Island on September 5, 1998.

Interestingly enough, Glass picked up the A-10's Rookie of the Week honor on September 8, 1998 a few days after that performance. In all, only nine Explorers have ever been named A-10 Rookie of the Week and Glass was the only goalkeeper to get the honor until today.

Only three players have been selected more than once, which includes current La Salle sophomore Dana O'Brien.

The Explorers, who have matched the school record for most wins to open a season at three, will look for win number four Tuesday night at Lafayette with a 7 PM kickoff.