DENVER – Utah State’s Lauren Hansen and Louisiana Tech’s Cat Buchanan have been named Western Athletic Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, for the week of Aug. 24-30.
Hansen, a junior from Camano Island, Wash. (Stanwood HS), scored three goals in two matches as Utah State went 2-0 last week to win the Miner Classic title in El Paso, Texas. Hansen scored the game-winning goal in USU’s 3-2 win over Stephen F. Austin. In Utah State’s 3-2 win over Texas Tech, Hansen scored the first two Aggie goals as USU won its first-ever match against a Big 12 opponent. Utah State’s 3-0 record marks the team’s best start in program history.
Buchanan, a sophomore from Shawnee, Kansas (Shawnee Mission NW HS), led Louisiana Tech to a 1-0 road shutout against Arkansas State. Buchanan faced 10 shots, including four on net, and did not allow a single goal en route to her first shutout of the season.
Other offensive nominees included: Boise State senior midfielder Kaylea Perenon; Fresno State junior midfielder Bradlee DeShane; Hawai‘i senior forward Britta Bourne; Idaho junior forward Jenn Hull; and Louisiana Tech sophomore forward Olivia Lukasewich.
Other defensive nominees included: Boise State senior goalkeeper Jen Burns; Fresno State sophomore defender Danielle Solich; Hawai‘i junior defender Chelsea Deptula; Idaho senior goalkeeper Anna Sandman; New Mexico State senior goalkeeper Katie Graul; and Utah State freshman defender Natalie Norrs.