UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. September 13, 2004 - Junior goalkeeper Megan Akstin (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after a stellar two-game performance over the weekend. Akstin, a transfer from the University of Albany, recorded her first shutout in a Nittany Lion uniform as Penn State blanked James Madison, 2-0, on Friday, Sept. 10. Akstin then withstood a barrage of 19 shots by North Carolina on Sunday, tallying 10 saves in the contest including eight in the first period. Overall Akstin saved 13 shots in the two-game span.

Akstin currently ranks third in the Big Ten in saves (27), saves per game (5.40) and goals against average (1.58). Akstin is no stranger to high save totals. As a sophomore at Albany, she led the nation in saves with 191. The Nittany Lions (1-4) play two home games this week. First they host Temple at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, and then Lafayette at 7 p.m. on Friday. Admission to all games is free.