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By Tim Goodenow for MSNsportsNET.com
October 12, 2009

Lewis	Szwed

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – A pair of West Virginia women’s soccer players were named BIG EAST Conference players of the week. Meghan Lewis was named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week and Caroline Szwed was earned BIG EAST Rookie of the Week honors, the conference announced Monday afternoon.

Lewis was brilliant at center back in leading WVU to its seventh and eighth shutouts of the season over the weekend. The Naperville, Ill., native got into the attack to attempt three shots in the two matches, including her first collegiate goal in an upset win over 11th-ranked St. John’s.

The defender logged all 180 minutes and is the only Mountaineer to play every single minute this season. Lewis was part of a defense that limited Syracuse starting forwards to two shots and St. John’s starting forwards to one shot in their respective matches.

Szwed was outstanding in two starts over the weekend, dominating play between the 18-yard boxes. The Oakville, Ontario, native assisted on game-winning goal in 1-0 shutout of Syracuse. Her assist was the team-leading fourth of the season.

The center midfielder attempted one shot in WVU’s upset win over No. 11 St. John’s. Szwed logged 168 of a possible 180 minutes as the Mountaineers posted their third and fourth shutouts in BIG EAST play.

Lewis and Szwed are the fourth and fifth different Mountaineers to earn a BIG EAST weekly honor this season. Kerri Butler (goalkeeper) was recognized on Aug. 24, Blake Miller (offensive) was honored on Aug. 31 and Megan Mischler (offensive) was cited on Oct. 5.