DENVER – New Mexico State’s Lauren Cope has been named Western Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week, and Boise State’s Liz Ruiz and Fresno State’s Chrissy Smith have been named the WAC’s Co-Defensive Players of the Week for the week of Sept. 28 – Oct. 4.
Cope, a freshman midfielder from La Mirada, Calif. (La Mirada HS), scored two goals to help New Mexico State to a pair of conference wins over Boise State and Idaho. Against Boise State, Cope gave NM State a 1-0 decision in overtime with her first career goal. She also scored against Idaho to tie the match at 2-2, eventually leading to NM State’s 3-2 victory. Overall, Cope had two goals and four points on three shots on goal. Additionally, she posted a .600 shots on goal percentage.
Ruiz, a sophomore goalkeeper from Boise, Idaho (Capital HS), registered a shutout in a 1-0 road win at Louisiana Tech. After Boise State took an early lead in the 25th minute, Ruiz made six key saves in the second half to preserve the victory. Overall, Ruiz recorded seven saves in 90 minutes to record her second shutout of the season.
Smith, a junior goalkeeper from Fresno, Calif. (Clovis West HS), recorded her first collegiate shutout in just her second start of the year to help the Bulldogs to a 1-0 victory at Hawai‘i. Smith also tallied six saves in the shutout, helping Fresno State to its first road win since 2005.
Other offensive nominees included: Boise State freshman forward Erica Parks; Fresno State sophomore midfielder Laura Dodd; Idaho junior forward Jenn Hull; Nevada sophomore midfielder Natalie Ratnavira; and San Jose State sophomore midfielder Shanelle Furner.
Other defensive nominees included: Nevada junior goalkeeper Marie Cove; New Mexico State senior goalkeeper Katie Graul; and San Jose State junior goalkeeper Nina Butera.