For her outstanding performance this past week, Senior Niki Ikeda (Lawrence, NJ/Lawrence) of the FDU-Florham Field Hockey team is the Devils Athlete of the Week. Ikeda provided late game heroics in the Devils 6-5 victory over Wilkes University on Friday night. The Devils trailed 5-4 to the Colonels with five minutes remaining in the game until Ikeda blasted the game-tying goal into the back of the cage. Heading into overtime, Ikeda was at it again. This time she found an opening on a breakaway, reared back and fired the ball past the Colonels goalkeeper in the 71st minute to cap off a huge comeback win for the Devils.Â
Ikeda, a three-time All-Freedom Conference team member, recorded a career-high six points in the contest. She scored the game-tying and game-deciding goals, while also dishing out two key assists. Ikeda now ranks first on the team in assists and is tied for second in goals on the season. In a game where the Devils trailed 5-2 at the half, Ikeda stepped up and her effort propelled the Devils to a memorable victory.Â
