Spencer, Craig and Huntsinger Named Soccer Players of the Week
Southland Soccer Weekly Notes (PDF)
FRISCO, Texas – Houston Baptist freshman forward Sabriah Spencer, Stephen F. Austin junior defender Kelly Ann Craig and UIW freshman goalkeeper Sydney Huntsinger were named the Southland Conference Women’s Soccer Players of the Week presented by UniversalCoin.com, the league announced Tuesday. Spencer earned offensive honors while Craig received defensive accolades and Huntsinger was tabbed top goalkeeper of the week.
Offensive Player of the Week – Sabriah Spencer, Houston Baptist
Spencer, a freshman from Brampton, Ontario, Canada (St. Edmund Campion), scored twice - and both game winners for the second-straight week – and tallied an assist in Houston Baptist’s 2-0 weekend. She scored the golden goal 2:45 into overtime to knock off Central Arkansas. In Sunday’s comeback win over the Lady Demons, she set up Jessa LeBlanc’s goal to tie the game and scored the game winner with seven minutes left in regulation. She leads the Southland Conference with six game winners, as she has four in the last five matches, and a 0.75 goals-per-game average.
Honorable Mention: Dylan Owens, Abilene Christian; Cassandra Briscoe, Northwestern State; Hanna Barker, Stephen F. Austin; Jordan Mulnix, Lamar.
Defensive Player of the Week – Kelly Ann Craig, Stephen F. Austin
Craig, a junior from Houston, Texas (Stratford H.S.), helped the Ladyjacks shutout Nicholls and Southeastern Louisiana over the weekend while getting into the attack by providing an assist and several other good looks at goal. She assisted on a terrific goal on Friday night against the Colonels, playing a beautiful cross into the box from the right wing where Southland Conference point leader Amanda Doyle was waiting to put it away for the score. Craig also helped the Ladyjack back line limit both league foes to just one shot on goal each. She played a full 90 minutes in both contests.
Honorable Mention: Kristi O’Brien, Houston Baptist; Cheyenne Maxwell, Southeastern Louisiana; Chantal Kinsey, Abilene Chrisitan.
Goalkeeper of the Week – Sydney Huntsinger, UIW
Huntsinger, a freshman from New Braunfels, Texas (Canyon H.S.), stood strong in goal for the Cardinals on the road last week. She gave up one goal in a 1-0 loss in Lake Charles, La. against McNeese State on Friday. On Sunday, Huntsinger played all 110 minutes against Lamar in a 1-1 tie. She set a new school record with 18 saves against the Cardinals. She made a total of 23 saves during the week.
Honorable Mention: Alanis Guevara, Houston Baptist; Amanda Boylson, Nicholls; Lillie Ehlert, Stephen F. Austin; Sydney Newton, Abilene Christian.
Each school’s sports information director nominates and votes for the players of the week, though is not permitted to vote for his or her own player. To receive honorable mention, a student-athlete must receive votes from 25 percent of the Southland sports information directors.