May 4, 1999

Lafayette freshman Leela Strong (Wayland, MA/Wayland) has been named the Patriot League's Defensive Player of the Week for women's lacrosse play through May 2.

Strong made 10 saves in the victory over Drexel on April 29, while the 18-goal margin was the largest ever in Lafayette women's lacrosse shutout history. The day before, Strong had 15 saves and allowed 11 goals in an 11-10 loss to Temple, which was nationally-ranked earlier this season.

In her rookie season, Strong has filled big shoes left vacant by the graduation of goalkeeper Ali Jones, Lafayette's all-time saves leader with 832 and an All-Patriot League First-Team selection in 1998.

Strong, also a backup keeper on the Leopards' field hockey team, had marked three consecutive 15-plus save performances before the Drexel win. She had nine games with 10 or more saves, and four games with 15 or more saves this season, including a season-high 21 stops versus then-ranked No.14 Rutgers on March 24.

The Leopards, winners of seven of the nine Patriot League Championships, closed out 1999 going 10-6 overall, 3-2 in the Patriot League.