CHA honors Wayne women

Three Wayne State freshmen received CHA honors this week.

Sam Poyton, a native of Hamilton, Ontario, was named the Offensive Player of the week. Poyton has been a critical playmaker for the Warriors, a role exemplified by her performance at Cornell last weekend. Saturday's game was on the brink as Wayne trailed by a goal, but Poyton hammered in two goals in as many minutes to seal the victory for the Warriors--adding to a goal and assist she'd recorded earlier in the game. She currently leads the team--and the league--with nine goals.

Tina Vanderhoeven (pictured), a blueliner from London, Ontario, shared Defensive Player of the Week honors with Niagara's Allison Rutledge. She had three assists and one goal in the Warriors' series with Cornell. Vanderhoeven leads the CHA's defensemen in both assists (5) and points (6).

Rookie of the Week honors were earned by Melissa Boal (Pakenham, Ontario) for the second straight week. Boal, like Poyton, has been a potent offensive weapon for the Warriors--she has scored seven goals and tallied eleven assists to date. She leads the league in assists and total points. Boal is particularly crucial on special teams: she's netted four of her goals on the power play, and six of her setups have been during Warrior advantages. Her power-play goal, assist, and point totals all lead the CHA.