Sept. 24, 2008

OXFORD, Ohio - After a weekend in which the Miami University field hockey team split with Michigan State and Pacific, junior back Katie Brightwell has been named the Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Week.

Not only did Brightwell score the team's second goal against Pacific on Sunday, but the Louisville native assured overtime by making a defensive save in the second half to keep the score tied at two.

On the year, Brightwell has anchored a RedHawk defense that has held opponents to 1.5 goals-per-game and 78 shots on goal, nearly half of Miami's offensive total. The junior has scored two goals on the season.

Miami is 6-2 on the year and will open MAC play on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT against the Bears. The RedHawks' MAC conference home opener is next Saturday, Oct. 4 versus Kent State at 11 a.m. ET.