TicketSmarter WAC Women’s Soccer Players of the Week Announced
DENVER – NM State's Shea O'Connor and California Baptist's Romy Salvador were selected as the TicketSmarter Western Athletic Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week for Feb. 15 through Feb. 21, respectively.
O'Connor, a senior from Eugene, Ore., recorded the Aggies' first hat trick since 2017 as NM State took down Chicago State 5-0 late Saturday night. O'Connor opened the flood gates for the Aggies with all three of her goals coming in an eight-minute window during the second half against the Cougars. She tallied her first goal in the 64th minute off a free kick. O'Connor followed that with a pair of goals assisted by Hannah Leitner in the 65th minute and 72nd minute to ultimately put the game out of reach for Chicago State.
Salvador, a senior from Lyon, France, led the Lancers to a 2-0 start in WAC play this weekend as she played all 180 minutes while allowing just one goal against Dixie State. Salvador notched her second shutout of the season as she tallied three saves in CBU's second meeting with the Trailblazers. On Saturday, she also earned a rare goalkeeper assist as she set up Rola Badawiya for the goal behind a booming kick.
Other offensive nominees: California Baptist's Amy Aquino knocked in a pair of goals and added an assist to help the Lancers earn the sweep of Dixie State… Dixie State's Kelsey Cook recorded the Trailblazers' only goal of the weekend as she scored in the 48th minute against CBU… Grand Canyon's Marleen Schimmer scored her first goal of the year as she put a penalty kick in the back of the net to lift the Lopes past Utah Valley... Seattle U's Sydney Carr scored the lone Redhawk goal as SU went on to tie with UT Rio Grande Valley… UT Rio Grande Valley's Emily Zapata notched her first goal of the season as she helped the Vaqueros earn the tie with Seattle U… Utah Valley's Julianna Carter tabbed the game-winner in a 1-0 win over GCU as she connected on a shot in the 77th minute.
Other defensive nominees: Dixie State's Hollee Herick recorded a career-high nine saves against California Baptist on Thursday… Grand Canyon's Hayden Wallace picked up her first career win and shutout in Saturday's 1-0 win over Utah Valley...UT Rio Grande Valley's Maile Lunardi also managed a career-high nine saves, including a big save late in the second half to help the Vaqueros earn the draw with Seattle U… Utah Valley's Kylie Tuimaualuga collected five saves and allowed only one goal during nearly 77 minutes in goal against Grand Canyon.