DENVER – Louisiana Tech’s Heather Fitzgerald and Mette Rudolfsen have been named Western Athletic Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, while New Mexico State’s Mikaela Bitner has been named the WAC’s Goalkeeper of the Week for Aug. 27-Sept. 2.

Firtzgerald, a junior midfielder from Ponchatoula, La. (Ponchatoula HS), came off the bench to score a hat trick in Tuesday’s match against Louisiana College, leading the Lady Techsters to an 11-0 victory over the Wildcats. The three goals tie the LA Tech record for most goals in a single game with seven previous Techsters. Fitzgerald recorded five shots on goal over her two games last week. She registered 2.50 shots per match. 

Rudolfsen, a freshman defender from Aarnes, Norway (Norges Kongsvinger HS), anchored the LA Tech defense to a pair of shutouts last week. Rudolfsen played every minute of a double-overtime scorless draw against Troy and helped the Lady Techsters to a shutout win over Louisiana College. She was named to the Trojan Classic All-Tournament team for her play against Troy and Jacksonville State last week.

Bitner, a junior goalkeeper from Albuquerque, N.M. (Sandia HS), recorded a shutout in a 1-0 win over Southern Utah. She played all 90 minutes in the victory and recorded seven saves. After missing the 2011 season due to injury, Bitner returned for a win and a 0.00 goals against average.

Other offensive nominees included: New Mexico State sophomore forward Layla Todd ... San Jose State freshman forward Mikaella Meibock ... Seattle U sophomore forward/Midfielder Stephanie Verdoia ... UTSA junior forward Maria Jose Rojas ... Utah State junior midfielder Kendra Pemberton.

Other defensive nominees included: New Mexico State senior defender Courtney Irwin ... Utah State sophomore defender Taryn Rose.

Other goalkeeper nominees included: Louisiana Tech freshman Corina Brown ... Seattle U freshman Brianna Smallidge ... Utah State senior Ashlyn Mulford.