McNeese’s Jackie Kelly and Martine Ellefsen, and Northwestern State’s Taylor Spitzer win Week 6 Women’s Soccer Players of the Week awards.
FRISCO, Texas – McNeese’s Jackie Kelly and Martine Ellefsen, and Northwestern State’s Taylor Spitzer have won this week’s Jersey Mike’s Southland Conference Women’s Soccer Player of the Week awards, as announced by the conference office on Tuesday.
Goalkeeper of the Week: Jackie Kelly, McNeese – Jr. – Benicia, CA (Benecia High School)
Kelly played 135 this past weekend, allowing just one goal, but helping keep a combined shutout against Nicholls. She made five saves in 90 minutes against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and one in 45 minutes against Nicholls. Kelly has two shutouts this season, and has made 25 saves across eight games, and ranks second in the SLC in goals against average.
Defensive Player of the Week: Martine Ellefsen, McNeese – Sr. – Oslo, Norway (Limestone College)
Ellefsen was integral to the 1-0-1 McNeese record this past conference weekend, scoring the late equalizer against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. This was Ellefsen’s first ever collegiate goal. Furthermore, she helped anchor the Cowgirls defensive effort, conceding just once in two games this weekend, and keeping a clean sheet against Nicholls in the 3-0 win over the Colonels on Sunday. Ellefsen played all 180 minutes across both matches.
Offensive Player of the Week: Taylor Spitzer, Northwestern State – So. – Allen, TX (Allen High School)
Spitzer scored both of Northwestern State’s goals this past weekend. She scored what proved to be the lone goal in the Demons’ 1-0 win over UIW, capping a flowing counter-attack with a fine finish past the Cardinals goalkeeper. Then, she scored another early opening goal on the road against Texas A&M-Commerce, in what proved to be a hard-fought 2-1 loss. Spitzer ranks Top 10 in the Southland in shots, shots on goal, goals, and game-winning goals this season.
2023 Southland Women’s Soccer Players of the Week
| Date |
Goalkeeper |
Defensive |
Offensive |
| Aug. 22 |
Makenzie Hall, UIW |
Eve Clarkson, UIW |
Kelsey Fuller, Southeastern |
| Aug. 29 |
Sophia Dean, Texas A&M-Commerce |
Ellie Mai Sanford, UIW |
Kaydence Ramirez, Texas A&M-Commerce |
| Sept. 5 |
Kennedy Stelling, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi |
Lauren Andre, Nicholls |
Maggie Murray, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi |
| Sept. 12 |
Libe Banuelos, Northwestern State |
Rachel Loetzer, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi |
Hollie Massey, Lamar |
| Sept. 19 |
Nicole Panis, Lamar |
Arely Alaniz, Lamar |
Cariel Ellis, Lamar |
| Sept. 26 |
Jackie Kelly, McNeese |
Martine Ellefsen, McNeese |
Taylor Spitzer, Northwestern State |
Southland weekly award winners are nominated and voted upon by each school’s sports information director. Voting for one’s own athlete is not permitted. To earn honorable mention, a student-athlete must appear on 25 percent of ballots.
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