Pac-12 announces women's soccer players of the week
SAN FRANCISCO - The Conference office announced today the Pac-12 Women's Soccer Players of the Week for action from Sept. 21-27. COLORADO's Emily Paxton took home Offensive Player of the Week honors, while ARIZONA's Sheaffer Skadsen was voted Defensive Player of the Week and UCLA's Arielle Schechtman was tabbed Goalkeeper of the Week.
Paxton (Anthem, Colo.) came off the bench and guided the Buffaloes to a 2-1 victory over then-No. 14 California last week. The senior supplied an assist right before halftime to bring the Buffaloes level with the Golden Bears. The goal snapped California's 470-minute stretch without surrendering a goal. In the 106th minute in overtime, Paxton headed home a corner kick to give Colorado the win. It was her first career game-winning goal and snapped California's eight-game unbeaten streak. Paxton is the first Colorado player to win Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week since Anne Stuller on Aug. 28, 2012. Colorado now has seven all-time weekly honors.
Skadsen (Vancouver, Wash.) anchored an Arizona defense that shutout then-No. 21 Washington last Friday. The senior played center back for the Wildcats and was on the field for all 90 minutes. Skadsen and her teammates limited Washington to eight shots total, six of which were on target. It is the first career Pac-12 Player of the Week honor for Skadsen and the 16th all-time for Arizona.
Schechtman (Del Mar, Calif.) recorded a shutout in the Bruins' 1-0 win over Oregon last week. It was the redshirt freshman's second-straight shutout in only her second career start. Oregon fired 10 shots on target and Schechtman was up to the task for all of them. It is the most saves made by Pac-12 goalkeeper this season. It is her first career Pac-12 Player of the Week honor and the 53rd all-time for UCLA, tops in the league.
Colorado will play OREGON on Friday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m. PT and then face the Beavers of OREGON STATE on Sunday at 11 a.m. PT.
Arizona hosts No. 23 CALIFORNIA on Friday at 7 p.m. PT and No. 5 STANFORD on Sunday at 11 a.m. PT (Pac-12 Network).
UCLA will head to WASHINGTON on Thursday, Oct. 1, to play under the lights at 7 p.m. PT (Pac-12 Network). The Bruins will then face No. 21 WASHINGTON STATE at 11 a.m. PT on Sunday (Pac-12 Network).
ALSO NOMINATED
Offensive: Jaden DeGracie, ARIZ; Kyra Carusa, STAN; MacKenzie Cerda, UCLA; Nicole Molen, USC; Kourtney Guetlein, WSU.
Defensive: Joss Orejel, COLO; Caitlyn Wong, ORE; Greta Espinoza, OSU; Stephanie Amack, STAN; Hailie Mace, UCLA; Dominique Randle, USC; Allyson Brahs, WASH.
Goalkeeper: Rachel Estopare, ARIZ; Bella Geist, OSU; Jane Campbell, STAN; Megan Kufeld, WASH, Ella Dederick, WSU.
2015 PAC-12 WOMEN'S SOCCER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK