NAPERVILLE, IL—Senior goalkeeper Sadie Mele and freshman center midfielder Amanda Redden were honored by the Great West Conference as Defensive Player of the Week and co-Offensive Player of the Week, respectively, the conference office announced on Monday afternoon.

Mele, the senior goalkeeper from Rio Rancho, NM, made 14 saves in a 1-1 week for the Highlanders. In the season opener, a 2-0 loss to Monmouth on August 27, she made 11 saves.

Two days later, the 2009 GWC East Division Defensive Player of the Year, made three saves in a 2-1 win at Saint Peter's. The magnitude of her effort in keeping NJIT close to Monmouth, a 2009 NCAA Tournament participant, was underlined when Monmouth won its next game over Rutgers, ranked 17th nationally.

Redden, who hails from Hamilton, NJ, made her first college goal a big one. Playing in her second game, the freshman broke a 1-1 tie with an unassisted goal in the 83rd minute of the 2-1 victory at Saint Peter's on August 29.

She shared the conference Offensive Player of the Week laurels with Jenny Teslow of South Dakota.

NJIT's next action is Friday at 7pm, when the Highlanders host Bryant in a non-conference game on Lubetkin Field at J. Malcolm Simon Stadium.