DENVER ? Hawai?i’s Chelsea Deptula and Utah State’s Lindsey Smart have been named Western Athletic Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, for the final week of the regular season.
Deptula, a sophomore from Mililani, O’ahu, Hawaii (Punahou School), headed in the game-winning goal in the 72nd minute in Hawai?i’s 2-1 victory over Boise State. The goal was the sophomore’s second game-winner of the season and it secured the Rainbow Wahine the No. 3 seed in the conference tournament. She also placed both of her shots on goal from her defender position. She now ranks third on the team with a career-high five goals on the year. This marks the first time in her career she has earned WAC Player of the Week honors.
Smart, a junior from Sandy, Utah (Brighton), was a part of the Utah State backline that did not allow a goal in its final regular season match to help secure the Aggies’ perfect conference season (7-0). From her defensive position, she provided the assist that led the Aggies over Louisiana Tech last week. She also anchored a defense that ended the regular season with four shutouts in seven WAC matches. This is the first time the junior has earned the WAC Player of the Week award.
Other offensive nominees: Utah State’s Lauren Hansen scored the game-winning goal in the Aggies’ 1-0 win at Louisiana Tech to secure Utah State’s perfect 7-0 WAC record. Ali Sill of Fresno State registered the insurance goal in the Bulldogs’ 2-0 victory against Nevada.
Other defensive nominees: Fresno State’s Kendall VanDine helped the Bulldogs to their 10th shutout of the season after a 2-0 win over Nevada.