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WOMEN'S NEWS .... Central Michigan, which has the longest NCAA Division I women's shutout streak in more than a decade, can clinch its first Mid-American regular-season title with one more victory. The Chippewas (13-3-0 overall and 8-0-0 in the MAC) have won 11 games in a row, all by shutout. Its the fifth longest shutout streak in NCAA history and the longest since Santa Clara set a record with 16 straight shutouts in 1998.

"Everyone focuses on defending as well as they can every second they are on the field," CMU coach Tom Anagnost said. "That mentality has gotten us to where we are. Offensively, I feel we can be a little more dangerous than we have been in the last few matches in creating and finishing more opportunities." The Chippewas, who host Bowling Green and second-place Toledo Sunday, have won their last three games by 1-0 margins. Their only losses were to Big Ten teams Indiana, Michigan and Michigan State.

* TAR HEEL HONORED. North Carolina graduate Yael Averbuch was named the recipient of the 2009 Patterson Medal, the most prestigious award presented to student-athletes at the University of North Carolina, along with Tyler Hansbrough, ACC basketball's all-time leading scorer, and baseball star Dustin Ackley.

Averbuch, who is now with WPS champion Sky Blue FC, helped the Tar Heels win the 2008 NCAA Division I title. She won four ACC titles and two NCAA crowns in her career. She is the 11th women's soccer player to win the award. Other winners included Shannon Higgins (1990), Kristine Lilly (1993) Mia Hamm (1994), Tisha Venturini (1995), Debbie Keller (1997), Cindy Parlow (1999), Lorrie Fair (2000), Meredith Florance (2001), Catherine Reddick (2004) and Heather O'Reilly (2007).

* LEADING SCORERS:
1. Morgan Marlborough, Nebraska  21
2. Sarah Hagen, Milwaukee 19
3. Kelley O'Hara, Stanford 17
4. Jessica Fuccello, Penn 16
5. Danielle Foxhoven, Portland  15
5. Britany Curry, Texas St. 15
5. Whitney Palmer, Oklahoma 15
8. Christen Press, Stanford 14
9. Kiersten Dallstream, Washington St. 12
9. Sydney Leroux, UCLA 12
9. Tiffany McCarty, Florida St.  12
9. Rochelle VanBuskirk, UC Davis 12
9. Sylvia Kowalski, Canisius 12
9. Marky Boyce, Charleston So.12
9. Corky Julien, James Madison 12
9. Dawn Ward, Texas Tech 12

Women's Player of the Week: Sarah Hagen (Wisconsin-Milwaukee)
Team of the Week