Two Falcons Earn Player of the Week Honors

Van Ahnen named LEC Goalie of the Week; Cannava tabbed NEFC Offensive Player of the Week

FITCHBURG, Mass. (October 13, 2009) - Junior Taylor Van Ahnen (Seekonk, Mass./Seekonk) and classmate Jordan Cannava (Woburn, Mass./Melrose) earned Player of the Week honors in their respective sports as selected by league officials Monday afternoon.

TAYLOR VAN AHNEN

Van Ahnen collects her second consecutive Goalie of the Week honor after leading Fitchburg State to an impressive 2-0 week. Van Ahnen paved the way for the Falcons in a 1-0 penalty stroke victory over Bridgewater State, while aiding the Falcons in a convincing 6-1 victory over Eastern Connecticut State University.

The Seekonk, Mass. native set the Fitchburg State single-game record for saves against Bridgewater State, stopping each of the 19 shots by the Bears. Van Ahnen was stellar in the overtime sessions with eight stops, including five in the final frame. Her 19 saves are the highest total by a Little East Conference goalkeeper this season and 16th best in the nation. Earlier in the week, Van Ahnen did not have to make a save in 35 minutes of action against Eastern Connecticut. 

This season, Van Ahnen has been nothing short of spectacular, posting a team-best 45 saves, a .900 save percentage and a minimal 0.93 goals against average (GAA). She currently ranks second in the Little East Conference in goals against average and save percentage, while ranking third in shutouts (3) and saves per game (6.43).

JORDAN CANNAVA

Jordan Cannava earns his first weekly honor of the season after being tabbed the New England Football Conference (NEFC) and Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Offensive Player of the Week. Cannava led the Fitchburg State football team to a dramatic 37-34 double overtime victory over Coast Guard Academy this Saturday, tossing for 307 yards and three touchdowns on 22-of-50 passing. The junior QB led the game-tying and game-winning drives, tossing for two consecutive touchdowns, while adding a TD run on the ground.

This season, Cannava had led the Falcons youthful offense, throwing for 1180 yards and 12 TD's on 97 completions. Cannava has controlled the offense with sure-fire precision, tossing only three interceptions in six games, while adding four touchdown runs. He currently ranks fifth in the NEFC in passing, while ranking among league leaders in touchdowns (1st), interceptions (2nd), and passing efficiency (5th).

The Fitchburg State field hockey team (8-3, 6-1 LEC) will be back in action on Thursday as it travels to Nichols College at 7 p.m. The Fitchburg State football team (4-2, 3-1 NEFC) will visit Worcester State College on Saturday at 12 p.m.