Feb. 15, 2012

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Women's water polo junior Julia Penkal has been selected as the MAAC Offensive Player of the Week for her relentless efforts in the Princeton Invitational this past weekend.

With only one goal registered during the first three contests on opening weekend of the 2012 campaign, Penkal returned to action with brilliant play on the offensive side of the ball.

Number six for the Blue and White scored eight goals on the weekend and had nine points overall. Although she wasn't able to cultivate a win for the club, she provided half of the offensive production in those four games with eight of the 16 goals.

Against George Washington, she had four tallies in a 15-7 loss. Following up her four goal undertaking was a two goal showing against Mercyhurst. Versus Harvard, she had two points and a steal. Princeton couldn't stop Penkal from scoring another goal in their contest. She also notched three steals against the Tigers.

The explosive performances, on February 11th and 12th by the Harleysville, Pa. product, place her eighth in the MAAC standings for goals scored this season with nine. The junior has needed just 21 shots to achieve her rank in the top-ten. This level of play has escalated her scoring percentage to a near .430.

Penkal hopes to continue her scoring pace as the Wildcats travel back to Princeton, N.J. for the MAAC/East Challenge on February 25th and 26th.