DENVER - CSU Bakersfield's Sabrina Delgado and Utah Valley's Brooklyn Nielsen have been named Western Athletic Conference Women's Soccer Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, for the week of Sept. 12-18.
Delgado, a sophomore from Hacienda Heights, Calif. (Los Altos HS), played a part in every goal as the ‘Runners knocked off Idaho, 3-2, on Sunday. Delgado scored a pair of goals in the first half put CSUB ahead 2-0 at halftime. The Vandals climbed into the match, tying it at two goals apiece, but Delgado's perfectly-placed free kick set up Alexa Orrante for the game-winning goal in the 86th minute. Delgado's two goals tied her career-high and moved her into a tie for first in the WAC with five goals on the season. Her assist gave Delgado five points in the match, a new career best for the sophomore, who played all 90 minutes in the win. Delgado now has eight goals in her career, tied for sixth-most in CSUB Division I history.
Nielsen, a freshman from Sandy, Utah (Jordan HS), helped the Wolverines to a 1-0-1 record in goal last week. The first-year keeper helped UVU pick up its first-ever shutout against in-state rival Utah on Friday night at Clyde Field, helping the Wolverines extend their unbeaten home streak to 13 matches. In the 0-0 tie against the Utes, Nielsen tallied five saves on seven Utah shots. The double-overtime clean sheet is her second shutout of the season. Nielsen made a key save with under a minute to play in the final overtime that helped UVU secure the tie. She also helped UVU to a 5-1 win at Idaho State on Sunday afternoon, making four saves in the win. Overall on the week, Nielsen went 1-0-1 in the box with nine saves, a .900 save percentage, and a 0.45 goals against average.
Other offensive nominees included: Chicago State freshman midfielder Taylor Rankin tallied her second goal of the season against UIC on Sunday … UMKC sophomore midfielder Reighan Childers scored in both matches for the ‘Roos on the weekend … Seattle U junior midfielder Jennifer Plummer scored her first goal of the season on Sunday, leading Seattle University to a 1-0 shutout of Gonzaga … Utah Valley freshman midfielder Breanna DeWaal scored a goal and added two assists in the Wolverines' 5-1 win over Idaho State on Sunday.
Other defensive nominees included: NM State sophomore goalkeeper Ashley Martin made 25 saves in two matches on the week … Seattle U senior defender Stephanie Spiekerman anchored the Redhawks' back line in both matches last week, helping the squad to a 1-0 shutout of Gonzaga on Sunday, SU's third shutout of the season.