ARLINGTON, Texas – Utah Valley’s Nixan Jackson, Utah Tech’s Gracie Knutzen and Seattle U’s Kassidy Kirgan have been named the TicketSmarter Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Women’s Soccer Offensive Player, Defensive Player and Goalkeeper of the Week, for the match week ending on Monday, Oct. 2.

Jackson, a freshman forward, recorded a hat trick that included her first career goal in Utah Valley’s 10-0 shutout win over Stephen F. Austin. The hat trick was the 12th hat trick in program history. Jackson then found the back of the net in UVU’s 4-1 win over UTRGV on Saturday night. She recorded a perfect shot percentage, scoring her four goals on four shots. Jackson led a UVU offense that scored 14 goals and tallied 65 shots over its two matches.
 
Knutzen, a senior defender, captained the Trailblazer backline across all 180 minutes over the weekend. Knutzen helped hold California Baptist below their average of six shots on goal per season. She recorded an assist against Grand Canyon on Sunday, redirecting a corner kick into the path of Brynlee Rider who scored the opening goal. Knutzen and the Utah Tech defense also finished with nine blocked shots against the Lopes while holding them to one goal despite entering Sunday’s contest averaging 1.9 goals per game.
 
Kirgan, a freshman goalkeeper, had a standout weekend with two shutout wins over UTRGV (2-0) and Stephen F. Austin (2-0). Kirgan made two saves, one in each match to secure five total shutout wins this season.

2023 TicketSmarter WAC Women’s Soccer Weekly Awards
 
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Nixan Jackson, Fr., F, Utah Valley (Oct. 3)
Kaylee Hauck, So., F, California Baptist (Sept. 26)
Lacy Fox, So., F, Utah Tech (Sept. 19)
Faith Webber, Jr., F, Utah Valley (Sept. 12)
Marcella Brooks, R-Sr., F, California Baptist (Sept. 5)
Gianna Gourley, Sr., F, Grand Canyon (Aug. 29)
Faith Webber, Jr., F., Utah Valley (Aug. 22)
 
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Gracie Knutzen, Sr., D, Utah Tech (Oct. 3)
Sydney Bushman, Sr., D, Utah Valley (Sept. 26)
Taylor Summit, R-Jr., M/F, California Baptist (Sept. 19)
Aleisha Ganief, Jr., D, Grand Canyon (Sept. 12)
Sidney Roberts, R-Jr., D, Grand Canyon (Sept. 5)
Macie Stephens, Jr., D, Abilene Christian (Aug. 29)
McCarly Holloman, So., D, Abilene Christian (Aug. 22)
 
GOALKEEPER OF THE WEEK
Kassidy Kirgan, Fr., Seattle U (Oct. 3)
CJ Graham, Sr., Utah Valley (Sept. 26)
DeAira Jackson, Jr., Grand Canyon (Sept. 19)
Noa Schumacher, R-Sr., California Baptist (Sept. 12)
DeAira Jackson, Jr., Grand Canyon (Sept. 5)
DeAira Jackson, Jr., Grand Canyon (Aug. 29)
Mikayla Kendall, So., Tarleton State (Aug. 22)