DENVER – Denver’s Kaitlin Bast and Utah State’s Natalie Norris have been named Western Athletic Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, while Denver’s Lara Campbell has been named the WAC’s Goalkeeper of the Week for Sept. 24-30.

Bast, a senior forward from Centennial, Colo. (Arapahoe HS), tallied four points in a 4-0 win over San Jose State on Friday night. Bast’s through ball to junior forward Kristen Hamilton gave DU a two-goal cushion in both team’s WAC opener. Her goal gave Denver a three-goal lead in the 57th minute, on a calm finish from inside the box into the upper 90. Bast’s second assist came on another through ball, this one to junior midfielder Nicholette DiGiacomo. After the weekend, Bast is part of the fifth-winningest senior class in the nation. Bast ranks fifth in DU history in career points with 88 and is tied for fifth in goals with 34.

Norris, a senior defender from Sandy, Utah (Alta HS), was the anchor of the Utah State defense as the Aggies earned a pair of 0-0 double overtime ties at New Mexico State and at No. 18 Denver. Norris was the key to the defense as USU used different goalkeepers in both matches. Against the Pioneers, the USU backline faced 24 shots against one of the toughest offenses in the WAC. In two matches, Norris and the Aggie defense faced 36 shots in 220 minutes without allowing a goal. Norris played every minute of both matches last week.

Campbell, a senior goalkeeper from Anchorage, Alaska (South Anchorage HS), gave the Pioneers 172 shutout minutes in goal last weekend, leading the Pioneers to a pair of shutouts (one shared, one solo). Campbell’s biggest save of the weekend came in the final minutes of the second overtime against Utah State, preserving the Pioneers’ point in the match. After the weekend, Campbell is a part of the fifth-winningest senior class in the nation. She tallied six saves on the week.


Other offensive nominees included: Idaho sophomore midfielder Katie Baran … San Jose State junior defender Amanda Heins … Seattle U sophomore forward Stephanie Verdoia.

Other defensive nominees included: Idaho junior defender Nitalia Zuniga … San Jose State senior defender Helen Phan … Seattle U junior midfielder Monique Escalera … UTSA junior defender Anka Grotle.

Other goalkeeper nominees included: Idaho senior goalkeeper Liz Boyden … San Jose State freshman goalkeeper Zoe Makrigiannis … Seattle U freshman goalkeeper Brianna Smallidge … UTSA freshman goalkeeper Katarina Pus … Utah State freshman goalkeeper Jeannie Woller.