For Immediate Release: April 7, 2008
Contact: Anthony G. Naglieri (sports@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-2956

Alvarez named America East Women's Lacrosse Defender of the Week
Senior goalie makes nine saves in BU's record-setting effort versus Niagara

VESTAL, N.Y. -- Senior goalie Sandra Alvarez (Port Washington, N.Y.) has been named America East Women's Lacrosse Defender of the Week, the conference announced Monday. The Bearcat netminder led a record-setting defensive effort in a 13-5 victory at Niagara on Wednesday afternoon.

"Sandra has really worked hard to improve her game," said head coach Tony Zostant. "She is mentally focused, well disciplined, and driven. She has really solidified our defensive unit."

Alvarez recorded nine saves as part of a defensive unit that held the host Purple Eagles scoreless for the final 31:34, marking the first time in the program's seven-year history BU has held an opponent scoreless in a half of play.

She played the full 60 minutes in net for the Bearcats allowing an opponent season-low five goals in recording her first victory of the season. Alvarez has made a combined 24 saves in the last two games, including a season-high 15 against New Hampshire on March 29.

The Bearcats twice had previously held an opponent to a single goal in a half- most recently in the first half of a 16-4 win over St. Francis (Pa.) on April 14, 2005.

The weekly honor is the first of Alvarez's career and the second earned by a Binghamton player this season - freshman attack Ali Castiglie (Middle Island, N.Y.) garnered the league's top rookie honor of February25.

The Bearcats return to action on Wednesday afternoon, April 9 at Albany at 7 p.m.