DENVER - Missouri-Kansas City's Nikki Lynch and Nina Tzianos have been named Western Athletic Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, for the week of Aug. 17-23.
Lynch, a sophomore from Leawood, Kansas (Blue Valley Southwest HS), played a major factor in both of UMKC's wins over the weekend. On Friday night against Drake, it was Lynch's goal in the 12th minute off of a cross from Reighan Childers that lifted the ‘Roos over the Bulldogs, 1-0. Lynch worked her magic again on Sunday against Creighton. Down 1-0 late in the match, she dribbled around a defender and fired a shot from just inside the 18-yard box and tucked it inside the far post for the equalizer, sparking the comeback win for UMKC. Lynch took two shots in the match, putting both on goal, and took a total of four shots on the weekend with a .750 shots on goal percentage.
Tzianos, a senior goalkeeper from St. Louis, Mo. (Lindbergh HS), recorded the 21st shutout of her career in UMKC's first match to lead the ‘Roos to a 1-0 victory over Drake. Tzianos was credited with seven saves in the match, including six in the second half, to hold onto the 1-0 lead. She gave up just one goal on Sunday against Creighton, off a penalty kick in the 37th minute. Tzianos made five saves to bring her early-season total to 12 and her save percentage to .923.
Other offensive nominees included: CSU Bakersfield freshman forward Aminah Settles … Grand Canyon junior forward Kelsie Roberts … New Mexico State freshman midfielder/forward Aileen Galicia … Seattle U freshman forward Karli White … UTRGV freshman midfielder Kelzy Jepsen…Utah Valley senior midfielder Jamie Brown.
Other defensive nominees included: CSU Bakersfield senior goalkeeper Tori Ornela … Chicago State freshman goalkeeper Audra Wisehart … Seattle U senior goalkeeper Brianna Smallidge … UTRGV sophomore goalkeeper Erica Gonzalez … Utah Valley senior goalkeeper Jessica Duffin.