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. 7-13. WASHINGTON's Shannon Simon took home Offensive Player of the Week, while USC's Kayla Mills was voted Defensive Player of the Week and CALIFORNIA’s Emily Boyd was tabbed Goalkeeper of the Week.
Simon (Torrance, Calif.) was named the Offensive MVP of the Nike Portland Invitational as the Huskies swept their games against Cal State Northridge and UC Irvine. The sophomore scored two goals on five shots in the 3-1 victory over Northridge. Against UC Irvine, her only shot on goal found the back of the net, giving Washington a lead they would not relinquish in its 2-0 win. She now has four goals on the season, tied for the second-most in the Conference. It is the sophomore's first time winning Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week. Washington now has 23 all-time weekly accolades.
Mills (West Covina, Calif.) played a key part in both the defense and the attack for the Women of Troy last weekend. The junior's first goal of the season was the game-winning goal in the match against San Diego where the Trojans won, 2-1. Mills and her teammates only allowed one goal in 200 minutes of action, including a shutout against then-No. 23 Long Beach State. For the communication major and 2014 Pac-12 All-Academic honorable mention honoree, it is her first time winning a Pac-12 Player of the Week accolade and the 31st all-time honor for USC.
Boyd (Seattle, Wash.) and her California teammates did not allow a goal over two victories against UC Riverside and St. Mary's (Calif.). In the 1-0 win over UC Riverside, Boyd made three saves on the 11 shots she faced. Boyd and the Golden Bears were the first team to register a shutout against against the previously unbeaten St. Mary's. In the 2-0 victory over the Gaels, Boyd made two saves on four shots, one of which was a penalty kick. For the sophomore, it is her first time winning the Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Week honor. California has 32 all-time weekly honors.
This week, No. 25 Washington hosts Portland on Thursday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. PT. On Sunday, Sep. 20, the Huskies head to Gonzaga to compete at 1 p.m. PT.
USC will face Pacific on Friday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. PT and St. Mary's (Calif.) on Sunday at 11 a.m. PT.
No. 13 California will head across the bay to play against San Francisco on Friday at 7 p.m. PT. The Golden Bears will then head south to take on Cal Poly on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. PT.
ALSO NOMINATED
Offensive: Gabi Stoian, ARIZ; Lucy Lara, ASU; Arielle Ship, CAL; Marissa Everett, ORE; Helene Haavik, OSU; Haley Rosen, STAN; Lauren Kaskie, UCLA; Shannon Simon, WASH; Kourtney Guetlein, WSU.
Defensive: Sheaffer Skadsen, ARIZ; Samantha Witteman, CALI; Madison Krauser, COLO; Kelsey Foo, ORE; Helene Haavik, OSU; Laura Liedle, STAN; McKenzie Karas, WASH.
Goalkeeper: Rachel Estopare, ARIZ; Kate Scheele, COLO; Halla Hinriksdottir, ORE; Bella Geist, OSU; Jane Campbell, STAN; Cassie Sternbach, UCLA; Sammy Jo Prudhomme, USC; Megan Kufeld, WASH.
2015 PAC-12 WOMEN'S SOCCER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK