WAC WOMEN’S SOCCER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Seattle U’s Stephanie Verdoia has been named Western Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week, while Missouri-Kansas City’s Kaely Tott has been named Defensive Player of the Week for Oct. 13 through Oct. 19.
Verdoia, a senior forward from Salt Lake City, Utah (Brighton HS), tallied four goals and four assists on the weekend as Seattle U earned wins on the road at New Mexico State and Texas-Pan American. She had a hand in all six goals at NMSU, scoring twice and assisting on the other four in a 6-1 win. At UTPA, she scored twice as the Redhawks picked up a 4-0 win to stay tied for the top spot in the WAC standings.
Other offensive nominees included: Missouri-Kansas City senior forward Ellie Chadick scored two goals and logged two assists in a pair of wins on the week at home against Grand Canyon and Bakersfield...Utah Valley junior midfielder Jamie Brown recorded an assist on UVU’s fifth goal at Texas-Pan American on Friday and then scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 win at New Mexico State on Sunday…New Mexico State senior forward Jennae Cambra scored a goal in a 6-1 loss to Seattle U and recorded a game-high three shots in a 5-0 loss to Utah Valley…Grand Canyon freshman forward Milla Benedetti scored the equalizer in the 66th minute against Chicago State and then converted on a penalty kick in the second overtime to lift the Lopes to a 3-2 victory…Chicago State freshman forward Jyllian Coggins recorded a pair of assists as the Cougars lost a pair of one-goal decisions to Bakersfield and Grand Canyon.
Tott, a senior defender from Liberty, Mo. (Liberty HS), helped UMKC break the school record for consecutive wins at seven, posting a pair of shutouts over the weekend. On Friday against Grand Canyon, the defense limited the guests to just seven shots while on Sunday against Bakersfield, the Kangaroos limited the Roadrunners to just two shots. Tott also logged a pair of assists on Sunday.
Other defensive nominees included: Seattle U defender Stephanie Spiekerman helped anchor the Redhawk backline that held Texas-Pan American to just one shot on Sunday and helped contain New Mexico State’s top two scorers in a 6-1 win on Friday…Utah Valley junior goalkeeper Jessica Duffin collected a pair of shutouts over the weekend, making four saves on the week, all against New Mexico State…Chicago State freshman goalkeeper Taylor Conroy recorded 14 saves in a 3-2 overtime loss to Grand Canyon on Sunday after posting five saves on Friday against Bakersfield.
Bakersfield’s Hedda RegeFalk records first hat trick of the season
Regefalk, a sophomore forward from Stockholm, Sweden (Blackebergs Gymnasium), recorded the first WAC hat trick for the 2014 women’s soccer season scoring three goals against Seattle U on Oct. 5. She became the seventh Bakersfield women’s soccer player to record a hat trick against Seattle U. Regefalk’s hat trick is the third for CSUB at the Division I level and 11th overall for a member of the Roadrunner program. She scored all four goals on the week for the Roadrunners in their games against Utah Valley and Seattle U.
WAC STATS LEADERS
As a team, Seattle U leads the WAC in points (7.13), goals (2.67), assists (1.80), and corners (6.13). Missouri-Kansas City leads in shots (16.93), goals allowed (0.73), and goals against average (0.70). Utah Valley has the leads in shutouts (7) while Chicago State holds the lead in saves (10.40).
Individually, Seattle U’s Stephanie Verdoia leads the WAC in shots (5.00), points (2.60), goals (1.00), assists (0.60), and game-winning goals (5). Missouri-Kansas City keeper Nina Tzianos continues to hold the WAC lead in goals against average (0.62) and save percentage (.895). Bakersfield’s Tori Orneala has the lead in saves (88) while Chicago State’s Carrie Hepp is tops in saves per game (7.30). Utah Valley’s Jessica Duffin leads the conference in shutouts (7).
RETURNING ALL-CONFERENCE PLAYERS
The WAC returns nine all-conference players from the 2013 season, led by Seattle U with four. The Redhawks return all-WAC first team honoree and 2014 WAC Offensive Player of the Year Stephanie Verdoia (Sr., F). Verdoia led the WAC in nearly ever offensive statistical category last season. She is the lone returning player from last year’s all-WAC first team. SU also returns 2014 all-WAC second team honorees Taylor Titzman (Sr., F), Natasha Howe (So., MF) and Brianna Smallidge (Jr., GK). Bakersfield and Missouri-Kansas City each return two players that received all-WAC second team honors last year. CSUB returns 2014 WAC Freshman of the Year and all-WAC second team honoree Hedda Regefalk (So., F). The ‘Runners also welcome 2014 all-WAC second team honoree Sarah Cook, (Sr., D). UMKC has a pair of second-team honorees returning from last season in Alyssa Elver (Sr., MF) and Kaely Tott (Sr., D). New Mexico State returns 2014 all-WAC second team honoree Jennae Cambra (Sr., F).
NCAA OPPONENTS
WAC teams play four matches against teams that played in the NCAA Tournament last year. Two of the matches will be played at WAC home sites. Seattle U will play two home games, while Utah Valley will play a road game against Utah.
Aug. 24 Kentucky at Seattle U
Aug, 24 UTPA at Jackson State
Sept. 21 Utah Valley at Utah
Sept. 25 Portland at Seattle U
CHICAGO STATE, UTPA IN FIRST SEASON IN WAC
Chicago State and Texas-Pan American take to the pitch this season for the first time in school history. CSU head coach Tony Tommasi leads the Cougars in their inagural season with 24 freshmen. Texas-Pan American head coach Glad Bugariu will be the first Broncs women’s soccer coach in school history. Bugariu has 19 freshmen and seven players with college experience.