DENVER – Louisiana Tech’s Olivia Lukasewich and Utah State’s Summer Tillotson have been named Western Athletic Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, for the week of Aug. 17-23.
Lukasewich, a sophomore from Woodbridge, Ontario (St. Jean de Brebeuf HS), scored the game-winning goal in double overtime to give Louisiana Tech a 3-2 season-opening victory against Lamar. Lukasewich put the shot in the back of the net in the 106th minute from 15 feet out. She also finished the game with a team-high four shots, including one on goal. The win marks the first time in the program’s history that the Lady Techsters have opened the season with a victory at home. It is also the first time that Louisiana Tech has won a match in overtime.
Tillotson, a sophomore from Sandy, Utah (Alta HS), anchored Utah State’s defense to a 2-0 shutout victory over 2008 NCAA Tournament participant Northern Arizona. Tillotson played all 90 minutes in the backfield for Utah State, which held NAU to just five shots. The sophomore also added the game-winning goal for the Aggies, placing a penalty kick in the net during the first half.
Other offensive nominees included: Boise State junior midfielder Cheyenne Jones; Fresno State freshman forward Callie Hancock; Hawai‘i senior forward Britta Bourne; Nevada freshman midfielder/forward Emma Rice; New Mexico State freshman forward Crystal Burns; and Utah State sophomore forward Shantel Flanary.
Other defensive nominees included: Boise State sophomore goalkeeper Liz Ruiz; Fresno State junior goalkeeper Kaitlyn Revel; Hawai‘i freshman goalkeeper Kristina Ehrett; and New Mexico State senior goalkeeper Katie Graul.