ITHACA, N.Y. – Sophomore Natalie Descalso of the Ithaca College field hockey team was selected as the Offensive Player of the Week by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association on October 19. Descalso becomes the first player for IC to ever be named national player of the week since the NFHCA released weekly awards in 2019.

Descalso, who was named Liberty League Offensive Performer of the Week on Monday, scored four goals with one assist during a 3-0 week for Ithaca, including game-winners against New Paltz and St. Lawrence. Descalso tallied both goals in a 2-1 overtime win at New Paltz, and then netted the winning goal in double OT at St. Lawrence. She concluded her week with a goal and assist against Skidmore to help IC extend its winning streak to eight straight games.

Descalso currently leads Ithaca with 24 points on nine goals and six assists over 14 games this season. She has tallied at least one goal in each of the past four games for the Bombers, who head into the final week of the regular season with a 12-2 record and 5-0 mark within the Liberty League.

Ithaca has two crucial Liberty League contests remaining on its schedule – Friday at Rochester and Sunday at home against William Smith. The Bombers conclude their regular season against Nazareth on October 26.

The National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) is a nonprofit organization serving field hockey coaches and supporters of the game from across the United States. The mission of the association is to champion, strengthen, and celebrate field hockey coaches and the game. The NFHCA strives to be the organization that every field hockey coach looks to for the resources to grow in the game and the inspiration to stay in the game.