Date Posted: 9/24/2007

MACON, Ga. - No team in the Atlantic Sun will be entering conference play hotter than the Kennesaw State women's team. Winners of five straight, the Owls enter A-Sun play on the heels of three straight shutouts. The author of those shutouts has been freshman Katie Piotrowski. The Rahway, N.J. native picked up this week's Atlantic Sun Defensive Player of the Week award, announced on Monday by the conference office.

Piotrowski's strongest effort was likely against UAB on Friday. She turned away 12 shots in beating the No. 10 team in South Region. The shutout against the Blazers makes up just part of a long scoreless streak for Piotrowski. She has not allowed a goal in 297 minutes and 21 seconds, dating back four games to a second-half goal she allowed against Wofford. During that time she has recorded 20 saves. Her streak has moved her into third in the league in goals-against average (1.14 GAA) and she now tops the league in shutouts with three.

Freshman Terri Miller recorded the third hat trick of the season in Atlantic Sun women's soccer play this season leading ETSU to a come-from-behind victory against Radford. The freshman has been an offensive force for the Buccaneers, ranking second in the A-Sun in goals (6, one behind preseason Player of the Year Keri Zwikker from Jacksonville) and third in the Atlantic Sun in scoring (13 points). Her hat trick turned into her first Offensive Player of the Week award as announced on Monday by the conference office.

Miller, a native of Cape Coral, Fla. recorded the first hat trick by an Atlantic Sun player not to come against Alabama State. Playing in just her seventh collegiate game she tallied a natural hat trick, three consecutive goals, on Wednesday against Radford. Trailing 1-0 after allowing a goal in the fifth minute, she scored in the eighth and 27th minutes to give the Bucs a 2-1 lead by halftime. She netted the third goal late in the match for the hat trick. She follows Kelly Brinkman as back-to-back Bucs to win Offensive Player of the Week. Miller is the third freshman to be named Offensive Player of the Week through the first four weeks of the season.

The Atlantic Sun Conference is a 12-member league committed to Building Winners for Life, with a focus on academic and athletic integrity and a balance between the two for the student-athlete, and maintaining a high level of sportsmanship. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun encompasses six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun consists of some of the most dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Gardner-Webb University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.

Other Top Performers

Erin Bilyeu, ETSU (Jr. - GK - Murfreesboro, Tenn. - Business) -- Allowed only one goal in ETSU's 3-1 victory over Radford; in: 680:00 Min: 1.46 GAA, .750 Save Pct, two shutouts.

Erica Carter, BEL (Fr. - F - Spring, Texas - Public Relations) -- Notched two goals in win vs Nicholls State; Against host Southeastern Louisiana, assisted on Belmont's tying goal; Leads team in goals and points.

Micaela Crowley, Belmont (Sr. - GK - Hoover, Ala. - Audio & Video Production) -- In 155 minutes for the Bruins at Southeastern Louisiana Tournament recorded six saves and finished with a GAA of 0.58.

Melissa Kuhar, UPST (So. - F - Erie, Pa. – Elementary Education) -- Notched first multi-goal game of career vs The Citadel, both tied the game; Kuhar has already surpassed her 2006 goals and points totals with four goals and nine points after compiling three goals and eight points last season.

Keri Zwikker, JU (Jr. - F - Woodstock, Ontario - Exercise Science) -- Scored in both of JU’s games this week, upping total to 7; Goal against No. Colorado moved her into 4th-place all-time in JU history (31).

Related Links:
 • A-Sun Women's Soccer