WINTHROP, Mass. - Simmons College field hockey player Brianna Rastello (Salem, N.H.) was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Goalkeeper of the Week for the week of September 22-28, it was announced today by the league. The honor marks the fourth time this season and the third straight week that she has earned the award.
In two matches, the sophomore posted a 1.50 goals against average, while making 13 saves for a .812 save percentage. Rastello began the week with nine saves in a 3-1 loss to host Wheaton College (Mass.) on September 23 and capped the award period with four saves to record her fourth shutout of the season in a 4-0 victory over Thomas College on September 28.
The Salem H.S. (N.H.) graduate has started all nine contests for the Sharks, while playing all but 15:02 of the team's 644:50 minutes this season. Rastello ranks among the nation's best keepers with a .800 save percentage to rank 39th, while topping all GNAC goalies. Her 1.33 goals against average is the second-lowest mark among league leaders and her four shutouts is the most for a GNAC keeper in 2014. Earlier this season, Rastello put together a stretch of 221:13 from September 9 to September 23, where she did not allow a goal. She has stopped nine or more shots on four occasions, including a season-high of 11 vs. Massachusetts Institute of Technology on September 4 and has 48 saves for the year.
For her career, Rastello owns a 1.86 GAA, while boasting a .799 save mark with 127 saves in 17 matches and just under 1202 minutes. She's also registered five shutouts for her career.
Simmons is currently 5-4 on the season, including a perfect 2-0 in league play to place second in the league standings. The Sharks will return to action on Tuesday, September 30 when they host Smith College at 7:00 p.m. on Winsor Field in Boston, Mass.