DENVER – Denver’s Kristen Hamilton and Sam Harder 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 Sept. 3-9.

Hamilton, a junior forward from Littleton, Colo. (Columbine HS), led the Pioneers with two goals and two assists as Denver defeated Colorado 4-1 and UC Irvine 4-0 in its home-opening weekend. Although it won’t show up as an assist on the stat sheet, Hamilton created the Pioneers’ opening goal of the weekend, weaving through defenders and drawing a foul 28 yards out. Teammate Sam Harder then went on to score the free-kick. Hamilton lent a helping hand on DU’s second goal as well, playing a through ball to teammate Nicholette DiGiacomo two minutes later. A Denver Invitational All-Tournament team selection, Hamilton scored her opening goal of the weekend in the 23rd minute to give Denver a 3-0 lead over in-state rival Colorado. On Sunday, Hamilton gave Denver the two-goal cushion it was looking for in the 51st minute. With the six-point weekend, Hamilton moved into 10th on DU’s all-time points list (71). 

Harder, a sophomore defender from Centennial, Colo. (Araphahoe HS), anchored a Pioneer defense that allowed just one goal against previously-unbeaten Colorado and shutout UC Irvine. Harder scored the opening goal of the weekend on a 28-yard free kick. A DU Invitational All-Tournament Team selection, Harder is the only player to play all 650 minutes for the Pioneers this season.

Mulford, a senior goalkeeper from West Valley City, Utah (Cyprus HS), earned Defensive Most Valuable Player honors at the Viking Classic in Portland, Ore., this past week. Mulford led Utah State to a pair of shutouts versus Eastern Washington (W, 1-0) and host Portland State (T, 0-0 OT). Against EWU, she made six saves as the Aggies went on to a 1-0 win. In the tie against Portland State, Mulford was impressive, making match-saving saves in the first half and overtime that kept the Vikings off the scoreboard. For the match, she had nine saves. Mulford played all 200 minutes in the two matches. She had 15 saves, while allowing no goals for a 0.00 goals against average on the week.

Other offensive nominees included: Louisiana Tech sophomore midfielder Andrea Weng … Seattle U sophomore forward Stephanie Verdoia … Utah State sophomore forward Jade Tarver.

Other defensive nominees included: Louisiana Tech freshman defender Nicole Jaquemet … New Mexico State senior defender Courtney Irwin … Utah State sophomore defender Taryn Rose.

Other goalkeeper nominees included: Denver senior Lara Campbell … Seattle U freshman Brianna Smallidge.