Pac-12 announces women's soccer players of the week
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- CALIFORNIA forward Rachel Mercik and ARIZONA goalkeeper Gabby Kaufman were named Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week for Pac-12 Women’s Soccer for the week of Nov. 4-10, Commissioner Larry Scott announced today.
Mercik, a senior from El Dorado Hills, Calif., earned Offensive Player of the Week honors after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime against cross-the-bay rival and ninth-ranked Stanford in the regular season finale for both teams. The Bears’ 1-0 win was their first over the Cardinal in seven seasons while Mercik’s sixth goal of the season was Cal’s first golden goal in six overtime games this year. She is tied for third on the team in goals and is fourth in overall points (14). The victory also secured an NCAA Tournament berth for the Bears, who will play in the first round this weekend.
Kaufman, a junior from Calabasas, Calif., was named Defensive Player of the Week after recording eight saves in a 2-0 win over Arizona State in the final regular season game for both teams. She ends the 2013 season as the save leader in the Pac-12, recording 105 on the year and 5.25 per game. Kaufman also recorded her fifth shutout of the season as the Wildcats finish with a 9-7-4 overall record and tied for ninth in the Conference.
This is the first-career weekly honor for Mercik and the 27th overall for California. Kaufman’s second-career weekly honor is also her second in 2013 and Arizona’s 13th all-time. She is the second goalkeeper to win the honor twice this season.
California was selected to the field of 64 for the women’s soccer NCAA tournament on Monday and will play a first round game at Santa Clara on Saturday Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. PT. In their previous meeting on Sept. 19, the Bears and Broncos battled to a 1-1 double overtime draw.
Also Nominated for Offense: Brandi Dawson, OSU; Sam Mewis, UCLA; Kaitlyn Johnson, WSU. Also Nominated for Defense: Maddie Bauer, STAN; Jill Robison, UTAH.
2013 Pac-12 Women’s Soccer Players of the Week
| Date | Offense | Defense |
| Aug. 26 | Elizabeth Eddy, F, USC | Emily Oliver, GK, STAN |
| Sept. 3 | Darian Jenkins, F, UCLA | Gabby Kaufman, GK, ARIZ |
| Sept. 10 | Devin Marshall, F, ASU | Katelyn Rowland, GK, UCLA |
| Sept. 17 | Micaela Castain, F, WSU | Abby Steele, GK, ORE |
| Sept. 24 | Courtney Verloo, F, STAN | Emily Kruger, GK, CAL |
| Oct. 1 | Devin Marshall, F, ASU | Jane Campbell, GK, STAN |
| Oct. 8 | Sarah Tosti, F, ASU | Lindsey Luke, GK, UTAH |
| Oct. 15 | Lauren Kaskie, D/MF, UCLA | Megan Kufeld, GK, WASH |
| Oct. 22 | Jazmin Ponce, F, ARIZ | Annie Brunner, GK, COLO |
| Oct. 29 | Chioma Ubogagu, F, STAN | Lindsey Luke, GK, UTAH |
| Nov. 5 | Nicole Setterlund, MF, WSU | Gurveen Clair, GK, WSU |
| Nov. 12 | Rachel Mercik, F, CAL | Gabby Kaufman, GK, ARIZ |