WAC WOMEN’S SOCCER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Offensive: Monterroso, a sophomore forward from Guatemala City, Guatemala (Lyon College), scored her fourth and fifth goals of the season to help Grand Canyon to its first win of the season Friday over Idaho. Monterroso tied the game at 1-1 in the 78th minute and then scored the go-ahead goal for GCU in the 85th minute. She ranks second in the WAC in goals per game and is tied for third in the conference with five goals on the season.
Other offensive nominees included: New Mexico State senior forward Jennae Cambra … Utah Valley junior forward Kali Stubbs… Texas-Pan American freshman midfielder Jessica Suarez.
Defensive: Tzianos, a junior goal keeper from St. Louis, Mo. (Lindbergh HS) posted one of her best weeks of the season in goal for Missouri-Kansas City, shutting out then-unbeaten Creighton to lead UMKC to its first victory over the Blue Jays in program history. Creighton entered Friday’s contest averaging 3.71 goals per game as Tzianos made 8 saves and allowing no goals in the game’s shutout.
Other defensive nominees included: Texas-Pan American freshman goal keeper Erica Gonzalez.
WAC STAT LEADERS
As a team, Texas-Pan American leads the WAC in shots (14.60), points (4.70), assists per game (1.50), goals against average (0.84) and shutouts (0.50). Meanwhile, Seattle U leads in goals per game (2.00) and goals allowed (1.14), while Chicago State leads the league in saves (10.22).
Individually, Seattle U’s Stephanie Verdoia leads the WAC in shots per game (4.29), points per game (2.14), goals per game (1.00) and game-winning goals (0.29). Missouri-Kansas City’s Ellie Chadick is tops in assists per game (0.57) and Nina Tzianos leads in goals against average (0.83) and save percentage (.870). Chicago State’s Carrie Hepp leads the league in saves per game (7.86) and Texas-Pan American’s Aubrie Coley is tops in shutouts per game (0.43).
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 three 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.