Oct. 27, 2008

DETROIT - Wayne State swept all three categories in the College Hockey America (CHA) Women's Hockey Players of the Week Awards, the league office announced Monday afternoon. Senior forward Sam Poyton (Hamilton, Ont./Stoney Creek Sabres) was named Offensive Player of the Week, senior blueliner Natalie Payne (Mississauga, Ont./Mississauga Jr. Chiefs) earned Defensive Player of the Week honors, and forward Veronique Laramee-Paquette (Mont-Tremblant, Que./Les Cheminots) was selected Rookie of the Week following WSU's split with Colgate.

Poyton recorded five points including four goals in two games against the Raiders. She tallied her fourth career hat trick in Friday's 6-2 triumph along with an assist on the first goal of the game. Her power-play marker on Saturday pulled the Warriors within one at 2-1. She finished the weekend with nine shots on goal and a +2 plus/minus rating.

Payne dished out four assists in the series including a helper on Friday's game-winner. She ended the weekend with a +3 plus/minus rating as the Warriors allowed just two even-strength goals in 120 minutes.

Laramee-Paquette had a goal each night plus an assist on Friday's game-winning goal. She had three shots on goal along with a plus/minus rating of +1.

This week marks the fifth time in program history that WSU women's hockey student-athletes have garnered each of the three league awards.

Wayne State is idle this weekend before heading to Vermont for a series Nov. 7-8.