WAC WOMEN’S SOCCER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Bakersfield’s Hedda Regefalk has been named Western Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week, while Utah Valley’s Kalli Suesue has been named Defensive Player of the Week for Oct. 20 through Oct. 26.
Regefalk, a sophomore from Stockholm, Sweden (Blackebergs Gymnasium), recorded her second hat trick of the season in a 4-2 win over Texas-Pan American on Friday night and followed that up with two more goals on Sunday in a 4-2 win over New Mexico State. She became Bakersfield’s all-time Division I leader in single season goals with 11 and is now tied for seventh all-time in school history for career goals (15), needing only four more to become CSUB’s career Division I record holder.
Other offensive nominees included: Seattle forward Stephanie Verdoia set a new Seattle U program career high for both goals and points over the weekend, earning a hat trick and two assists in an 11-0 win over Chicago State on Sunday afternoon…Utah Valley forward McKell Salmon scored a goal and recorded an assist in a 3-0 win over Chicago State on Friday and then picked up an assists in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Missouri-Kansas City…Texas-Pan American midfielder Andreya Barrera scored a goal and picked up an assist in a 4-2 loss to Bakersfield on Friday…New Mexico State forward Layla Todd scored twice on a weekend, putting in a goal against both Grand Canyon and Bakersfield, in a pair of losses…Grand Canyon forward Milla Benedetti scored a pair of goals in a 3-1 win over New Mexico State on Friday.
Suesue, a sophomore from Gilbert, Ariz. (Gilbert HS), anchored the Wolverine defense to a pair of shutouts against Chicago State and Missouri-Kansas City. She played a key role on the defense, making numerous stops on the backline as Utah Valley allowed just eight shots over two games. She was also responsible for a team save against UMKC as well as an assist against the ‘Roos.
Other defensive nominees included: Seattle U defender Kiana Kraft recorded a career-high two assists against Chicago State as well as helping the Redhawks play to a 1-1 tie with Missouri-Kansas City on Friday night…Grand Canyon midfielder Brylee Hawkins tallied her first goal of the season in Sunday’s win over UTPA and also was instrumental on the defensive end—playing a key role in GCU allowing opponents to score only twice in two games over the weekend.
TWO MORE WAC HAT TRICKS
Just under three weeks after recording the first WAC hat trick of the 2014 season on Oct. 5, Bakersfield’s Hadda Regefalk, a sophomore forward from Stockholm, Sweden (Blackebergs Gymnasium), did it again with a trio of goals on Friday night against Texas-Pan American. Not to be outdone, Seattle U’s Stephanie Verdoia scored a hat trick of her own on Sunday afternoon, adding two assists to her three goals in an 11-0 win over Chicago State.
WAC STAT LEADERS
As a team, Seattle U leads the WAC in points (8.59), goals (3.06), assists (2.47), and corners (6.47). Grand Canyon has the lead in shots (17.88) while Missouri-Kansas City leads in goals allowed (14). Utah Valley is tops in goals against average (0.77) and shutouts (9) while Chicago State continues to lead in saves (10.41).
Individually, Seattle U’s Stephanie Verdoia leads the WAC in shots (87), shots per game (5.12), points (47), points per game (2.76), goals (18), goals per game (1.06), assists (11), assists per game (0.65) and game-winning goals (5). Missouri-Kansas City’s Nina Tzianos leads in goals against average (0.72) and save percentage (.879). Bakersfield’s Tori Ornela is tops in saves (97) while Chicago State’s Carrie Hepp has a WAC-best 6.91 saves per game. Utah Valley’s Jessica Duffin has a WAC-best nine shutouts on the season.
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.