DENVER – Utah State’s Shantel Flanary and Louisiana Tech’s Caitlin Updyke have been named Western Athletic Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, for the week of Aug. 16-22.
Flanary, a junior from Highland, Utah (Lone Peak HS), scored two goals over two games last week as the Aggies started off the season with a 2-0 record with wins over in-state foes Weber State and Utah Valley. Flanary scored the first Utah State goal of the season in a neutral-site 2-1 victory against Weber State on Friday. She also scored a goal in USU’s 4-0 shutout over Utah Valley at home.
Updyke, a freshman from Broomfield, Colo. (Broomfield HS), was flawless in her first collegiate action on Sunday, helping the Louisiana Tech defense to a 1-0 shutout against Lamar. Updyke held the Cardinals scoreless with six saves in her collegiate debut.
Other offensive nominees included: Boise State senior forward Shannon Saxton; Hawai‘i senior midfielder/forward Mari Punzal; Idaho sophomore forward Chelsea Small; Louisiana Tech freshman midfielder Taylor Dennis; and New Mexico State sophomore forward Yolanda McMillion.
Other defensive nominees included: Boise State junior goalkeeper Liz Ruiz; Hawai‘i junior defender Coleen Burns; New Mexico State freshman goalkeeper Mikaela Bitner; and Utah State defender Natalie Norris.