DENVER - Seattle U's Julia Moravec and Kelly Beck have been named Western Athletic Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, for the week of Oct. 19-25.
Moravec, a senior forward from Spokane, Wash. (Lewis and Clark), scored both game-winners in a pair of shutout wins for the Redhawks. Moravec scored the game-winner then assisted on the remaining three goals in a 4-0 win at Grand Canyon, matching her career-high with five points (last: Oct. 2 at Chicago State). Her efforts on the weekend helped SU leapfrog Utah Valley and take a two-point lead in the race for the WAC regular season title. The Redhawks will host UVU on Saturday in the final match of the season.
Beck, a senior defender from Tacoma, Wash. (Bellarmine Prep), led the Seattle U backline to its 10th and 11th shutouts of the season, as the Redhawks traveled to defeat CSU Bakersfield 2-0 and Grand Canyon 4-0. Seattle U allowed just six shots on goal in the two victories and SU has now shutout seven of its last eight opponents. The Redhawks have outscored opponents 25-2 in the month of October and have ridden a six-match WAC winning streak to first place in the conference with just one game remaining. This is Beck's third WAC Defensive Player of the Week honor this season.
Other offensive nominees included: Missouri-Kansas City freshman forward Lexi Howard was involved in all four of UMKC's goals in the victory against NM State, scoring twice and adding two assists during a six-point match … UT Rio Grande Valley sophomore forward Andreya Barrera scored the game-winning goal for the Vaqueros against Chicago State, clinching a WAC Tournament berth for her squad … Utah Valley freshman forward Breanna McCarter scored two goals on the road Sunday to lead Utah Valley to a 3-2 win over CSU Bakersfield.
Other defensive nominees included: Chicago State sophomore goalkeeper Taylor Conroy made 22 saves and gave up just four goals in two matches … Missouri-Kansas City freshman goalkeeper Anna Lillig earned two shutout wins, including a seven-save effort in the ‘Roos' victory over NM State … UT Rio Grande Valley sophomore goalkeeper Erica Gonzalez shutout Chicago State, earning a win that clinched the Vaqueros a berth in the WAC Tournament … Utah Valley senior goalkeeper Jessica Duffin helped UVU to a 1-1 road record last week, collecting four saves in a 1-0 loss at Grand Canyon and three saves in a 3-2 victory at CSU Bakersfield.