NU's Napoli Named Player of the Week

Freshman Also Nets Weekly Rookie Award

September 30, 2008

Northeastern women’s soccer freshman Veronica Napoli was named the CAA Player of the Week and Co-Rookie of the Week, the conference announced Monday.

Veronica Napoli

Northeastern's Veornica Napoli. (NU Athletics)

This is the second week in a row that Napoli has earned Rookie of the Week honors and it is Northeastern's first Player of the Week this season.

Napoli, a native of Newport, R.I., helped the Huskies defeat Drexel 3-2 in overtime. Napoli scored all three goals for the Huskies, which was her first collegiate hat trick. She was able to bury a ball that went off the post from a Liza Rebello shot at 53:13 for the game’s first goal.

Drexel netted two goals after that, and it looked as though the Huskies would be handed their first CAA loss. However Napoli showed her tremendous speed and was able to chase down a pass from Gabbi Jatkola and beat out the Drexel goalie to tie the game with just 2:21 remaining in the contest.

In overtime, Napoli made quick work of the Dragons. Just 1:44 into OT, Rebello made a beautiful pass to the charging Napoli who rifled a shot past the Drexel goalie for the game-winner.

Napoli leads the Huskies in goals (6) and points (14) playing in nearly every minute of every game. After the weekend the Huskies are 1-1-0 in conference play.

The Huskies have two home games this weekend against Towson Friday night at 6 p.m. and George Mason at 1 p.m. on Sunday.