MANAHAWKIN, N.J. – Russell Sage College Field Hockey freshman goalkeeper/midfielder Olivia Brand (Little Falls, NY/Little Falls) received an honorable mention for National Field Hockey Coaches Association NCAA Division III Defensive Player of the Week honors for the period ending Sunday, September 29.

The rookie excelled in both goal and the field this week.  She scored a goal in Friday's shutout of visiting Elmira before making 13 saves in her first collegiate start, a 2-0 non-conference setback at RPI on Saturday.

Looking ahead, RSC (1-7) plays next on Wednesday afternoon at Castleton.

Gator Bites: The fall marks the first with Head Coach Carissa Warren leading the Gators…She arrived to Albany from two-time defending Empire 8 Conference Champion Hartwick…RSC delivered Warren her first career victory on September 27, a 7-0 E8 shutout of visiting Elmira…The Gators made the E8 Championship Tournament for the first time in 2023…11 players, including All-Conference selections: midfielder Alexa Wentz (Whitney Point, NY/ Whitney Point), a grad student, junior goalkeeper Jaia Caron (Bellows Falls, VT/Bellows Falls Union), forward Alyssa Fitzgerald (Queensbury, NY/Queensbury), a grad student, and sophomore midfielder Cheyanne Zobel (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa), returned from the squad…Caron, who holds the program record for most career shutouts with five, began the week ranked fifth nationally with 12.83 saves per-game…The E8 Defensive Player of the Week for the period ending Sunday, September 8 has made double-digit saves