CORTLAND, N.Y.- The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) has made its selections for Offensive and Defensive Athletes of the Week in field hockey. After athletes were nominated from across the conference Anna Branch from Cortland and Sarah Beam from Brockport were name the Offensive and Defensive Athletes of the Week respectively. 

Branch had an outstanding start to her 2017 season.  The senior forward from Clifton Park, scored two goals and delivered one assist to propel Cortland to a 2-0 record at the Smith College Caryl Newhof Classic.  In a matchup against Maine-Farmington, Branch contributed two of the Red Dragons' five goals.  In the championship game, she assisted on the game-winning goal to give Cortland a 3-1 victory over Smith.  Branch was named MVP of the torunament for her exceptional play.

A native of Red Hook, Beam withstood 115 minutes of gameplay, in a match against Keuka College, without surrendering a goal.  The Junior netminder made seven saves on nine shots faced in regulation and went on to stop eight of nine penalty shots in overtime.  The Golden Eagles were able to secure a 1-0 victory.