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 Jessica Duffin has been named Defensive Player of the Week for Sept. 29 through Oct. 5.
Offensive: Regefalk, a sophomore forward from Stockholm, Sweden (Blackebergs Gymnasium), 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. Regefalk scored the first WAC hat trick for the 2014 season.
Other offensive nominees included: Utah Valley senior midfielder Kim Stratford … Seattle U senior forward Stephanie Verdoia… Missouri-Kansas City sophomore Emily Herndon… Texas-Pan American’s freshman midfielder Aimie Inthoulay…New Mexico State senior forward Layla Todd.
Defensive: Duffin, a junior goal keeper from Smithfield, Utah (Skyview HS) recorded her WAC-best fifth shutout of the season on Sunday in a 2-0 win over Grand Canyon. Duffin recorded six saves on Sunday in the shutout against Grand Canyon. Duffin also helped the Wolverine’s to a 2-1 win over Bakersfield on Friday night, giving up only one goal and registering two saves.
Other defensive nominees included: Grand Canyon sophomore defender Jessica Valadez… Missouri-Kansas City senior Sarah Todd… Seattle U redshirt junior defender Kiana Kraft.
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. 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 STAT LEADERS
As a team, Seattle U leads the WAC in points (6.18), goals (2.27) and assists (1.64). Meanwhile, Missouri-Kansas City leads in goals allowed (0.82) and goals against average (0.79). Texas-Pan American leads the league in shots (14.92) and shutouts (0.38) while Chicago State leads in saves (10.82).
Individually, Seattle U’s Stephanie Verdoia leads the WAC in shots (4.36), points (2.27), goals (0.91), assists (0.45) and game-winning goals (0.36). Missouri-Kansas City’s Ellie Chadick is tops in assists per game (0.45) and Nina Tzianos leads in goals against average (0.68) and save percentage (.901). Chicago State’s Carrie Hepp leads the league in saves per game (8.00) and Utah Valley’s Jessica Duffin is tops in shutouts per game (0.38).
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 LEAGUE
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.