DENVER - Missouri-Kansas City's Kara Priest and NM State's Rian Nials have been named Western Athletic Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, for the week of Sept. 21-27.
Priest, a sophomore forward from Overland Park, Kan. (Blue Valley Northwest HS), came off the bench and sparked the UMKC offense in the conference opener. She played 55 minutes in the match, firing off a career-high eight shots, six of which were on goal. She assisted on two goals in the match, first in the 43rd minute when she sent a beauty of a pass to Ryann Burnett who sent it home to put the ‘Roos on top 3-0. She later added another assist with a cross into the box for freshman Reighan Childers, who easily tapped in the goal from a few yards out. Priest added the sixth and final goal of the game for the ‘Roos with a perfectly placed tear drop over the outstretched arms of the Chicago State goalkeeper and just under the crossbar. The goal marked Priest's second of the year, and she is now fifth all-time at UMKC in points (25) and goals (10).
Nials, a freshman goalkeeper from Radium Springs, N.M. (Las Cruces Mayfield), came in a halftime with UTRGV leading 1-0 and made three saves on all three Vaquero shots on goal. Her clean half of play, after not seeing any game action since Aug. 30, allowed NM State to rally behind two second half goals to open conference play with a 2-1 victory. This was the first victory for Nials in her career.
Other offensive nominees included: NM State's sophomore forward Devin Hart scored the game-winning goal in the 88th minute as the Aggies defeated UTRGV 2-1 … Seattle U's freshman forward Karli White scored the equalizer in as the Redhawks tied Utah Valley 1-1 … UT Rio Grande Valley's junior midfielder Sheridan Becanic scored the Vaqueros lone goal in a 2-1 loss to NM State … Utah Valley's sophomore defender Sara Callister scored in the Wolverines' 1-1 tie against Seattle U.
Other defensive nominees included: CSU Bakersfield's senior goalkeeper Tori Ornela made 9 saves as the ‘Runners tied Grand Canyon 1-1 … Utah Valley's senior goalkeeper Jessica Duffin allowed just one goal as the Wolverines tied Seattle U 1-1.