WHITINGHAM, Vt. - In her first week of North Atlantic Conference games, freshman Kaitlyn Wechsler (Merrick, N.Y.) picked the right time to get hot and in the process, earned Rookie of the Week honors.
Lesley defeated conference opponents Bay Path College and Becker College to take sole possession of first place in the early season conference standings, improving their overall record to 5-2 (2-0 NAC). The victories were in large part due to the quality minutes put in by Wechsler, the 5'10" freshman forward out of Merrick, N.Y.
On Tuesday night, Wechsler dropped a game high 15 points on 6-11 shooting from the floor. The sixth best free-throw shooter in the conference, Wechsler was solid from the line again, hitting three of four free throws. She grabbed four rebounds, three of them defensive, and also had an assist in the game. Defensively, she helped keep Bay Path to just 39 total points by chipping in with a block and a steal.
In a crucial game against Becker College, Wechsler proved to be a nice offensive complement to Lesley's leading scorers. Her 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field, including a converted three-point attempt, helped lead the Lynx to 71-62 victory over the Hawks. With five rebounds, two steals, a block and an assist, Wechsler has solidified herself as an essential part to any future success the Lynx have.
With the Rookie of the Week honors, Wechsler joins fellow freshman Brianne Caira (Pelham, N.H.), who has already won the award this season. Sophomore Hailee Lowe (Hamilton, Mass.) also received recognition for her contributions, winning Player of the Week honors a couple of weeks ago from the NAC.
Lesley will play their final game of 2007 on Thursday night against Wheelock College at home at 8 p.m. The team's first match up in the New Year will be a difficult one, as they travel to Wheaton College to play in a tournament against Emerson College and Trinity College (Conn.). Lesley will look to Wechsler to continue her early season achievements.
To learn more about Kaitlyn Wechsler and the Lesley University women's basketball team, please visit their website.