Southern Connecticut State University Athletics

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Senior Natasha Fitzpatrick (West Moonah, Australia) of the women’s cross country team and senior Christian Samaniego (Toronto, Ontario) of the men’s soccer team have been named as the Southern Connecticut State University Athletes of the Week.

Fitzpatrick was the top Division II finisher and was second overall out of more than 300 participants at the Paul Short Invitational at Lehigh on Saturday. Fitzpatrick completed the course in a time of 22:02. The Owls placed tops among ninth overall out of 41 teams at the competition thanks in part to Fitzpatrick’s performance.

Samaniego helped lead the Owls to a 2-0 week in Northeast-10 Conference play. He scored the game-tying goal to force overtime in an eventual 2-1 win over American International to start the week. The Owls’ captain then aided a strong defensive effort in a 5-0 shutout of St. Anselm on Saturday.