In the Red Foxes' three games this opening week, the senior defender led the team with seven combined points on goals in three consecutive contests. Coming up from the defensive third either on free kicks or overlapping runs, Botta proved to be a weapon for Marist on its way to a 2-1 week. In the team's first game of the year versus Wagner, her leaping and heading ability was on display as she assisted on an Amanda Epstein goal with a flicked header and netted the game winner off of a high, Rycke Guiney free kick chip. Prior to this season, Botta had only registered three goals and two assists total.

Defensive Player of the Week
Jenn Nichols, Rider, Sr., GK, 5-5, Stratham, N.H./Exeter

Nichols helped lead Rider to a 3-0 start this season, registering three shutouts and 15 saves. She posted three saves in 108 minutes of work against NJIT, followed by four saves in regulation against Howard. Nichols closed out the week with eight saves in the Broncs' victory over Mount St. Mary's.

Rookie of the Week
Tara Ballay, Rider, Fr., B/M, 5-4, Delran, N.J./Delran

In her collegiate debut, Ballay netted two goals as the Broncs kicked-off their 2012 season with a 3-0 start. She netted the game-winning goal in Rider's 1-0 overtime win vs. NJIT, and also scored the game-winning goal in Rider's 2-0 victory over Howard.