DENVER – Seattle U’s Stephanie Verdoia and Texas-Pan American’s Aubrie Coley have been named Western Athletic Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, for the week of Aug. 18-24.
Verdoia, a senior forward from Salt Lake City, Utah (Brighton HS), scored two goals last week to lead Seattle U to a 1-1 record to open the season. Verdoia scored SU’s first goal of the season in a 2-1 overtime win against Idaho. She scored the goal on a penalty kick in the 11th minute after being pulled down in the box against the Vandals. Verdoia scored her second goal of the week in a 2-1 overtime setback against No. 30 Kentucky. She put in the game-tying goal against Wildcats with just over a minute remaining in the match.
Coley, a freshman goalkeeper from Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. (Capistrano Valley HS), recorded a shutout in UTPA’s first match to lead the Broncs to their first-ever win at Southern. Coley tallied six saves in the match to help UTPA to the 2-0 road win. Coley also helped the Broncs to a 1-1 double overtime tie at Jackson State with a game-high five saves. On the week, Coley recorded 11 saves for a .917 save percentage.
Other offensive nominees included: Chicago State freshman forward Jyllian Coggins … Grand Canyon junior forward Cassie Beckwith … New Mexico State senior forward Jennae Cambra … Texas-Pan American freshman midfielder Andreya Barrera.
Other defensive nominees included: Grand Canyon freshman midfielder Rachel Mina … New Mexico State sophomore goalkeeper Tayler Hammack … Seattle U junior goalkeeper Brianna Smallidge … Utah Valley senior defender Lexi Robison.