DENVER - Missouri-Kansas City's Reighan Childers and Emily Talmon have been named Western Athletic Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, for the week of Aug. 31-Sept. 6.
Childers, a freshman midfielder from Grain Valley, Mo. (Grain Valley HS), assisted on the game-winning goal in UMKC's 3-1 victory over South Dakota State, placing a corner kick over multiple defenders' heads to the feet of junior defender Emily Herndon, who easily tapped home the goal in the fourth minute. In the victory over UT Martin, Childers used some fancy footwork to beat a defender just outside of the 18-yard box before firing a laser from 10-yards out past the goalkeeper for her second-career goal, putting UMKC up 3-0 before the half. In the second half, Childers crossed midfield with no one but the goalkeeper to beat and fired a rocket from 35-yards out for her second goal of the game. UMKC would go on to win the match 4-1, and the 'Roos 5-1 start is the best in school history.
Talmon, a freshman defender from Papillion, Neb. (Papillion - La Vista HS), has played and started in all six games for the ‘Roos this season. Over the weekend, Talmon played all 180 minutes in the two wins for UMKC. She helped the ‘Roos hold opponents to just two goals in the two games, both of which came off set pieces, rather than open play. Against South Dakota State, an NCAA Tournament team last season, she played a major role in holding the Jackrabbits to just four shots on goal. The 'Roos are off to a 5-1 start, the best in school history.
Other offensive nominees included: Grand Canyon sophomore forward Milla Benedetti fired nine shots and added a goal in two games for the Lopes … NM State freshman midfielder Aileen Galicia scored two goals and had an assist on the week as the Aggies went 1-1 ... Seattle U freshman midfielder Kyla Danforth scored the game-winning goal in the Redhawks' 1-0 victory over Gonzaga … UT Rio Grande Valley freshman forward Malia Irvine scored her first career goal against Texas A&M - Corpus Christi, equalizing the game in the 87th minute
Other defensive nominees included: Grand Canyon sophomore defender Madison Cox led a defense that gave up two goals on the weekend, including a shutout victory over Alabama State … Seattle U senior goalkeeper Brianna Smallidge made two saves in a shutout victory over Gonzaga.