United Athletic Conference

Complete release (PDF)

 

Grand Canyon's Gianna Gourley and Stephen F. Austin's Carli Arthurs been named TicketSmarter Western Athletic Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, for October 4 through 10.

 

Gourley, a junior forward from Las Vegas, Nevada, contributed to three goals on the Lopes' 6-0 win over NM State, Saturday. She scored her first goal of the week just five minutes in the first half then proceeds to score another in the start of the second, she closed the week as she assisted the Lopes' fourth goal. Gourley is currently tied in first for most goals in the WAC.

 

Arthurs, a senior defender from Lewisville, Texas, played a major defensive role that contributed to two wins for SFA. The Lumberjacks' defense only allowed four shots made on goal in the course of two games this past week. Arthurs also made offensive contribution with a goal and an assist on Sunday's 9-1 win over Chicago State.

 

Other offensive nominees: California Baptist's Malia Cerdon played a major role by scoring two goals awhile the Lancers' were trailing by one in Sunday's 2-1 win over Dixie State … Chicago State's Marissa Beale scored the Cougars' sole goal this past week … Lamar's Hollie Massey contributed to both of the Cardinals' goals this past week by scoring her own and assisting the other on Saturday's 2-0 win over UTRGV … Sam Houston's Landri Townsend contributed to four out of seven goals scored by the Bearkats this past week with three assists and a goal contributing to their two wins … Stephen F Austin's Colleen Feagins scored three goals and an assist over the past week including a game winner on Friday's 3-0 win over Abilene Christian.

 

Other defensive nominees: California Baptist's Romy Salvador was in the net for the Lancers for two full games recording a total of four saves and a shutout contributing to two both of the Lancers' win this past week … Grand Canyon's Jordan Ferguson was in the net for the Lopes recording eight saves in 76 minutes and while conceding no goals … Sam Houston's Danielle Forsyth anchored the Bearkats' defensive line that only allowed one goal in the past weekend, contributed to both of the Bearkats' wins … Lamar's Nicole Panis was in the net for a full match recording eight saves and shutout on Saturday's 2-0 win over UTRGV.

 

Coming off the third week, there are shifts in the middle of each division with California Baptist and Sam Houston moving up to third place in their respective divisions. On the top of the standings, Grand Canyon furthers their lead in the West Division now with a four point lead over NM State and California Baptist after bagging a win this past week. In the Southwest Division, Stephen F. Austin does the same by racking two wins this past week putting them five points ahead of Lamar. 

 

After the third week of WAC matches, Grand Canyon keeps their spot as league leaders in shots (246), points (119), goals (41), assists (37), assists per game (2.64), average goals per game (2.93), least goals against average (0.69) and in shutouts (6). Utah Valley is the leader in corner kicks (72). Dixie State leads the league in saves (105). 

 

Individually, Grand Canyon's Marleen Schimmer and Gianna Gourley are tied as top scorers (8). Schimmer is also the WAC leader in total shots (75), shots per game (5.36), assists (9), and points (25). In the net, Dixie State's Kayla Gonzales is the leader in saves (84) and saves per game (7). Grand Canyon's Jordan Ferguson is in the lead with the least goals against average (0.60) and save percentage (.849). 

 

Following a short offseason and an influx of new programs, Stephen F. Austin is the preseason favorite to win the 2021 Western Athletic Conference Southwest Division while Utah Valley is the coaches' pick to win the WAC West Division in a vote of the league's 12 head coaches, who could not vote for their own team or players. 

 

WAC-newcomer Stephen F. Austin received three first place votes to edge out Abilene Christian and Lamar for the top spot with 22 points, compared with two first place votes and 18 points for the Wildcats and one first place vote and 18 points for the Cardinals. UT Rio Grande Valley was picked fourth, followed by Sam Houston in fifth and Chicago State in sixth.

 

In the west, defending WAC champion Utah Valley received four first place votes and 24 total points to edge out rival Seattle U for the first spot. The Redhawks received one first place vote and 21 points to take second, followed by Grand Canyon, with the final first place vote and 17 points, in third. California Baptist takes fourth, NM State is fifth and Dixie State is sixth.

 

Seattle U's Sydney Carr and UVU's Jenna Shephard were selected as the WAC Preseason Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year respectively in a vote of the league's 12 head coaches, who could not vote for their own team or players.

 

Carr represented the Redhawks on the Preseason All-WAC team whole Shephard was joined by teammates Sadie Brockback, Heather Stainbrook and Amber Tripp. California Baptist had two players honored as Erin Gallagher and Romy Salvador represented the Lancers. Also earning honors were Abilene Christian's Christina Arteaga, Dixie State's Whitley Griffiths, Grand Canyon's Marleen Schimmer and Stephen F. Austin's Jamie Jezierski. 

 

The Western Athletic Conference is a little bit bigger this season as Abilene Christian, Lamar, Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin have all joined the party. Due to the increase from eight teams to 12 teams, the league will play in a divisional format this season with the top three teams from each division advancing to the WAC Tournament.

 

WAC women's soccer teams will take on some of the top teams in the nation this season with 17 non-conference games against opponents that participated in the 2020-21 NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament in North Carolina. Stephen F. Austin has the most daunting schedule, facing off against four postseason opponents. GCU is second with three matches scheduled against NCAA tournament teams. Sam Houston and Seattle U have two each.

 

The 2021 WAC Women's Soccer Tournament will feature the top three teams from each division on November 3, 5, and 7 at Elmer Gray Stadium in Abilene, Texas. The two divisional winners will receive byes to the semifinal round with the second place team taking on the third place team from the other division in the first round.

 

As Tarleton continues its growth to NCAA Division I, the athletics department will be adding women's soccer with the expectation to begin play in the fall of 2022. Southern Utah will also join the WAC, with the Thunderbirds moving all their athletic grams from the Big Sky Conference to the WAC effective July 1, 2022.