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DAVIS, Calif. – Clutch performances by field hockey goalkeeper Chelsea Bigelow and men's soccer midfielder Andy Velasquez are key reasons why each team enjoyed a successful month of September. They have balanced that leadership on the field with an academic performance to match — which is why the UC Davis Library bestowed Student-Athletes of the Month awards to each. 

A senior, Bigelow's talent has been no secret to anyone at UC Davis, but she's put the rest of the America East Conference on notice amid the Aggies' program-best start this season. 

Bigelow was honored by the conference by being named Defensive Player of the Week for the week of Sept. 9-15 for her play against now-No. 6 Louisville. Bigelow was a big reason the Aggies led the nationally ranked Cardinals for the majority of that game and then on less than 24 hours rest, Bigelow shut out Central Michigan on Sept. 10. 

In all, Bigelow contributed to four shutouts in September, a mark that ties the program record for shutouts in a season with a little under half the season still to go. She leads the America East Conference in goals against (7), goals against average (.987), save percentage (.857), and shutouts (4).  She is one of just two keepers in the conference who have allowed less than 10 goals this season. 

For Bigelow, a psychology major who was an Emergency Medicine Research Associate Program intern at the world-renowned UC Davis Medical Center and an America East Conference Honor Roll selection in 2018, the UC Davis Library is not only a comfortable place to study but a welcome respite from some of the distractions studying off campus can bring. 

"The library allows me to kind of really focus on my work and not get distracted with a lot of people so I can get my work done a lot quicker there," Bigelow said. 

Velasquez, like other UC Davis students, is able to take advantage of Shields Library's 24-hour study space year-round. Many Aggies also take full advantage of this luxury at peak study times, like finals week when Shields opens additional space, including its popular Main Reading Room, 24 hours a day to support clutch performances when it matters the most. 

Clutch is the perfect word to describe Velasquez throughout September, especially when UC Davis traveled to Moraga to face No. 6 Saint Mary's. In that game, the sophomore undeclared physical sciences major scored the game-winner, which ended the Gaels' 31-game overall unbeaten streak — the ninth-longest all-time in NCAA Division I history, their 26-game unbeaten streak at home, and undefeated 2019 record.
 

ABOUT UC DAVIS LIBRARY 
As the academic heart of the university, the UC Davis Library sees more than 1.6 million visitors annually — 93 percent of whom are students — and is ranked among the top academic research libraries in North America. The library supports research, teaching and learning in every discipline, and is proud to support the academic success of UC Davis' student-athletes with study space on campus, remote access to library materials for research and class projects when they are traveling, and the support of our team of librarians, information research and data experts.

ABOUT UC DAVIS
Providing a small-town community feel while providing a world-class academic experience, UC Davis is home to more than 37,000 students and centrally located between San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and the Napa Valley.
 
The No. 5-ranked public university in the nation, according to the Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education, offers nearly 100 graduate programs and more than 100 academic majors across four colleges and six professional schools, ranking among the world and nation's best in numerous disciplines, including veterinary science, agriculture, and plant and animal programs.