DENVER - Seattle U's Stephanie Verdoia and Utah State's Natalie Norris have been named Western Athletic Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, while Utah State's Ashlyn Mulford has been named the WAC's Goalkeeper of the Week for Oct. 1-7.
Verdoia, a sophomore forward from Salt Lake City, Utah (Brighton HS), scored a hat trick in the team's 5-1 victory over Idaho on Oct. 7, the third hat trick for the team this season. Verdoia leads the team this season with seven goals, 15 points and 33 shots (14 on goal). She's also recorded a three-game winning streak.
Norris, a senior defender from Sandy, Utah (Alta HS), played every minute in two shutout victories for the Aggies last week against UTSA and Texas State. Norris is the anchor of the USU backline that has pitched four-straight WAC shutouts to start the season. In the win against UTSA the senior recorded a defensive save to help preserve the 3-0 shutout victory. She also converted a penalty kick with one second remaining in the match.
Mulford, a senior goalkeeper from West Valley City, Utah (Cyprus HS), earned one shutout and combined for a second as Utah State earned two home wins against UTSA and then-first-place Texas State. Mulford has yet to allow a goal in WAC action, playing three of the four league matches. In two matches, the senior faced 21 shots with four saves. In the 3-0 win against the Roadrunners, Mulford mad two saves and added another two in the 4-0 victory against the Bobcats.
Other offensive nominees included: San Jose State junior midfielder Megan Molina ... Texas State freshman forward Lynsey Curry ... Utah State junior midfielder Jennifer Flynn.
Other defensive nominees included: Louisiana Tech sophomore midfielder Andrea Weng ... New Mexico State senior defender Courtney Irwin ... San Jose State senior defender Helen Phan.
Other goalkeeper nominees included: Louisiana Tech freshman goalkeeper Corina Brown ... San Jose State freshman goalkeeper Zoe Makrigiannis.
