BRIDGEWATER, N.J. - FDU sophomore Ella Fajardo shined in her first two games as a Knight as the women's basketball team went 1-1 to begin the 2022 campaign, earning the Bergenfield, N.J. product Northeast Conference Co-Rookie of the Week. Fajardo is the Knights' first Rookie of the Week honoree since March 3, 2021.

Coming off the bench in both contests, Fajardo saw her first collegiate minutes in FDU's season opener at Marquette on November 7. Leading all Knights' scorers with 16 points, the sophomore guard shot 55.6 percent from the field and banked two triples. She also contributed four free throws on five attempts, along with two boards and an assist.

Hitting the floor at Stratis Arena inside the Rothman Center for her first home game after sitting out the 2021-22 campaign, Fajardo dropped 14 points to average 15.0 points per game while hitting another two threes for the two-game three-point shooting percentage of 66.7. Perfect from the charity stripe the five-foot-four Fajardo went 8-for-8 in 32 minutes of action.

In 53 minutes so far in 2022-23, Fajardo leads all Knights in points (30) and is shooting 92.3 percent from the free throw line.

"I'm very happy for Ella," commented fourth-year head coach Angelika Szumilo. "Ella is one of the hardest working players on our team and it's always good to see one of your players being rewarded for exceptional work ethic. She showed a lot of poise and composure in her first collegiate games this past week."

Fajardo splits the honor with Sacred Heart's Ny'Ceara Pryor. Fajardo was named an NEC Prime Performer as well.

Women's basketball returns to action on Wednesday, November 16 at 6 p.m. when FDU travels to Bucknell live on ESPN+.

Connect with FDU women's basketball on Twitter and Instagram, @FDUKnightsWBB.