DENVER - Seattle U's Karli White and UMKC's Niekie Pellens have been named Western Athletic Conference Women's Soccer Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, for the week of Oct. 10-16.
White, a sophomore from North Bend, Wash (Mount Si HS), led Seattle U to a huge 2-0 WAC road swing, leading the team with 10 total shots, including five on goal, while putting two of those into the back of the net for four points. The sophomore striker had five shots, including two on frame as the Redhawks outshot NM State 17-4 on their way to a 2-1 victory. At UTRGV, White tallied both SU goals - one at the eight-minute mark and the other just inside 30 minutes - as the Redhawks completed the weekend with a 2-0 shutout of the Vaqueros. The goals were her second and third of the season, giving her three goals and two assists for eight points. Seattle U has now won five straight and is a perfect 4-0-0 in WAC play, sitting alone atop the league standings with 12 points.
Pellens, a senior defender from Naarden, Netherlands (Wisconsin-Parkside), was a vital cog in the UMKC defensive machine that posted two shutouts over the weekend. Pellens played all 110 minutes of UMKC's 0-0 draw with Grand Canyon on Friday night, helping the UMKC defense hold the Lopes to just eight total shots and just two on goal. Pellens also registered two shots of her own, including one on goal. In UMKC's 3-0 victory over CSU Bakersfield on Sunday, Pellens again played every minute of the match. As part of the back line that held the ‘Runners to nine shots and just three on goal, Pellens was a major contributor offensively as well. Pellens took all seven of UMKC's corner kicks, assisting on two goals. Pellens connected with the feet of freshman Abby Small for the game's opening goal in the 37th minute, an easy six-yard tap in for the freshman thanks to a perfect pass. Pellens helped junior Lilly Cobb pick up her second goal of the game in the 53rd minute, again with a perfectly placed corner kick. With the four points on the weekend the Roos moved in to the second spot in the WAC standings.
Other offensive nominees included: CSU Bakersfield sophomore forward Aminah Settles scored twice in Friday's victory over Chicago State… Grand Canyon junior forward Milla Benedetti scored twice for the Lopes in a victory over Chicago State on Sunday … UMKC junior midfielder/forward Lilly Cobb scored twice in the ‘Runners' victory over CSUB …. NM State junior midfielder Holly Abdelkader scored both goals for the Aggies as they earned a comeback tie against Utah Valley on Sunday … Utah Valley sophomore forward Breanna McCarter scored an overtime game-winning goal vs. UTRGV on Friday and added two assists on the weekend for the Wolverines.
Other defensive nominees included: Grand Canyon junior defender Kelsey Smith scored a goal and added an assist while playing a key role in the GCU backline that shutout both UMKC and Chicago State on the weekend … Seattle U sophomore defender Hannah Carrothers had two assists and was a key member of the SU backline that defeated NM State and shutout UTRGV on Sunday … Utah Valley senior defender Kalli Suesue anchored the Wolverine defense to a 1-0 overtime road shutout at UTRGV on Friday.