NEW YORK – Following a 2-0 win over St. John's to open the BIG EAST slate, Morgan Kotch and Meredith Palmer were named the BIG EAST Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week on Monday afternoon.

This is the first Offensive Player of the Week nod for Kotch in her Wildcat career while Palmer picks up her third Defensive Player of the Week plaudit of the season and fourth in her career. All-told this season, Villanova has received eight weekly awards from the league.

Kotch played a crucial role in both of Villanova's goals this week with a career-high two assists. She led all players with six shot attempts against St. John's, landing two on frame. The Yardville, New Jersey native has logged at least two shots in every game this season with at least one on goal in five straight.

Palmer logged the second assist of her career with a launching pass on the second goal in Villanova's win over St. John's. She helped the defense pick up its seventh clean sheet of the season to remain unbeaten on the year. The junior has played the full 90 minutes in seven on nine matches on the year.