Northwestern Field Hockey's Juliana Boon Named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week

Northwestern University's field hockey team, led by goalkeeper Juliana Boon, continues its impressive start to the season, with Boon's exceptional defensive performance earning her the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week award. Boon's incredible statistics, including 12 saves through her first four collegiate starts and zero goals allowed, have solidified her position as the nation's leader in goals allowed, showcasing her immense potential as a goalkeeper. With the team's success, including four shutouts and undefeated record, Boon's achievements are a testament to her hard work and dedication to the sport.

Key Takeaways:

• Juliana Boon has been named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for her outstanding defensive performance in the first four games of the season.
• Boon has notched 12 saves and allowed zero goals through her first four collegiate starts, leading the conference and the nation in goals allowed.
• Boon's achievement marks the first time since 2003 that a Northwestern goalkeeper has collected four shutouts as a first-year player, and the first time since 1990 that a goalkeeper has logged four consecutive clean sheets for the team in their first season.
• Boon's new award and the team's success are attributed to her exceptional defensive skills and a bright future for Northwestern goalkeeping, following two-time National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) All-American Annabel Skubisz.
• The team will continue non-conference play on the road this weekend, taking on Louisville and Miami (OH) in Kentucky on September 12 and 14, respectively.
• Boon's most recent shutout performance at the ACC/Big Ten Challenge included nine saves against No. 5 Duke and No. 8 Boston College.
• Sherri-Anne Nyberg, a 2003 Northwestern player, is the last goalkeeper before Boon to collect four shutouts as a first-year player.
• Shannon Small, a 1990 Northwestern player, is the last goalkeeper to log four consecutive clean sheets for the team in their first season.
• Boon is the first redshirt first-year player since Nyberg in 2003 to collect four shutouts.

Statistics:

• Boon has notched 12 saves through her first four collegiate starts.
• The team has achieved four shutouts in the first four games of the season, maintaining an undefeated record.
• Boon allows zero goals, leading the conference and nation in goals allowed.
• The Wildcats face Louisville on September 12 and Miami (OH) on September 14.
• Northwestern leads the nation as the only NCAA Division I team to not allow a single goal.

Sources:

• Northwestern University Athletics
• Big Ten Field Hockey Weekly Awards
• National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA)