Valparaiso University senior forward April Cronin (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South) has been named the Horizon League Offensive Player of the Week following her hat trick in Sunday’s win over Loyola.

Cronin tied the game twice against the Ramblers, finding the back of the net in the 63^rd minute to level the match at 1-1, and then recording the equalizer in the 84^th minute to force extra time. The senior completed her hat trick in the 105^th minute to give the Crusaders the 3-2 victory.

For Cronin, it was the first multi-goal game of her career, while it was just the fifth hat trick in Valpo women’s soccer history and the first since 2005. Combined with her assist on the match-winning goal in Friday’s victory over New Mexico State, Cronin had seven points on the weekend. The senior is now tied for third in Crusader history with 20 career goals – just one shy of second position – and is in fourth place by herself with 47 career points.