DENVER – Kansas City’s Taylor Bare and Seattle U’s Brianna Smallidge have been named Western Athletic Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, for the week of Sept. 30-Oct. 6.
Bare, a senior forward from Anoka, Minn. (Anoka HS), set a school record with three goals in a 6-2 victory over Grand Canyon on Friday. On the strength of Bare’s performance, the ‘Roos also set program 4records for goals in a half (4) and goals in a game (6). Bare’s three goals in Friday’s match brings her season total to eight, which ties her for the league lead. Overall on the week, Bare tallied five shots, four shots on goal, three goals and six points.
Smallidge, a sophomore goalkeeper from Port Orchard, Wash. (South Kitsap HS), recorded all 180 minutes in goal in Seattle U’s two shutout victories. Smallidge registered five saves in the 2-0 win at Bakersfield, and four more saves in the 2-0 shutout win at Utah Valley. Over the two matches, Smallidge recorded nine saves, two shutouts wins and a perfect 1.000 save percentage. She has now recorded four complete shutouts for Seattle U this season.
Other offensive nominees included: Grand Canyon senior forward Samantha Bush … New Mexico State senior midfielder Daisy Hernandez … Seattle U junior forward Stephanie Verdoia.
Other defensive nominees included: Grand Canyon senior goalkeeper Cat Lena.