DENVER - CSU Bakersfield's Aminah Settles and Seattle U's Kelly Beck have been named Western Athletic Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, for the week of Sept. 28-Oct. 4.
Settles, a freshman from Tucson, Ariz. (Catalina Foothills HS), scored the game-winning goal against NM State on Oct. 2 in the 63rd minute. Settles also created the go-ahead goal for the ‘Runners against UT Rio Grande Valley on Oct. 4 when she was pulled down from behind on a breakaway in the box, earning the ‘Runners a penalty kick. Settles later scored her fifth goal of the year to ice the match against UTRGV. As just a redshirt freshman, she is now third in CSUB Division I history for goals in a season (5), eighth for goals in a career (5), and tenth for career points (11).
Beck, a senior defender from Tacoma, Wash. (Bellarmine Prep), led the Seattle U backline to its fifth and sixth shutouts of the season. The Redhawks have recorded five shutouts in their last seven games, all on the road. Beck, a second team All-WAC selection last year, spearheaded the SU defensive effort that allowed Chicago State no shots in a 5-0 shutout on Oct. 2. Two days later, Beck and the Redhawks' defense held UMKC off the scoreboard and limited the ‘Roos to just five shots on goal in a double-overtime tie.
Other offensive nominees included: Chicago State sophomore forward Lexi Montgomery converted a penalty kick against Utah Valley … NM State sophomore midfielder Holly Abdelkader scored the game-winning goal for the Aggies vs. Grand Canyon and added an assist against CSU Bakersfield … Seattle U senior forward Julia Moravec had two goals and an assists in a win over Chicago State … … Utah Valley junior midfielder Taylor Kirk scored the game-winning goal in the Wolverines' victory over UMKC and added two assists in the win over Chicago State.
Other defensive nominees included: CSU Bakersfield senior goalkeeper Tori Ornela led the ‘Runners to two wins, including a shutout victory over UTRGV, making 11 saves and allowing just one goal on the weekend … Chicago State freshman goalkeeper Audra Wisehart made 12 saves against Seattle U … Grand Canyon sophomore defender Madison Cox led the Lopes' defense to a shutout win over UTRGV and scored the game-winning goal ... NM State freshman goalkeeper Rian Nials made 11 saves and gave up three goals on the weekend, going 1-1 … UT Rio Grande Valley sophomore defender Marcela Ramirez led a back line that allowed just 16-35 shots on target in two matches … Utah Valley senior goalkeeper Jessica Duffin made six saves in a shutout win at UMKC and kept Chicago State scoreless for a half as the Wolverines went 2-0 on the weekend.