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OGDEN, Utah (Sept. 26, 2011) - The Big Sky Conference has announced its women’s soccer players of the week for matches played from Sept. 19 - Sept. 25. Montana forward Erin Craig and Northern Colorado forward Ariel Cook have been named co-Offensive Players of the Week, while Eastern Washington goalkeeper Jamie Walker has earned the Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Forward Erin Craig, a junior from Great Falls, Mont., had her first career hat trick to rally Montana to a 4-4 double-overtime draw at Southern Utah on Thursday afternoon. Craig sat out the Grizzlies’ 3-2 loss at Utah Valley Saturday night.
Against Southern Utah, Craig converted a penalty kick in the 13th minute, but Montana found itself down 4-1 at the half. Behind Craig, who played a role in all three second-half goals, the Grizzlies came all the way back to earn a tie. Craig made it 4-2 in the 63rd minute and 4-3 in the 76th minute. Her shot on goal in the 87th minute was saved, but freshman Allie Simon was there for the rebound, giving Craig an assist and seven points in the match. The three-goal rally is the largest deficit overcome to earn at least a draw in program history.
Forward Ariel Cook, a senior from Gilbert, Ariz., helped lead an offensive explosion for Northern Colorado, as the senior played a part in three of the four goals in the Bears 4-2 win over South Dakota. Cook opened up the days scoring with a goal on a penalty kick in just the fourth minute. To go along with her first goal of the season, Cook also assisted on Northern Colorado’s final two scores. She leads the team with four assists and six total points.
Eastern Washington goalkeeper Jamie Walker, a junior from Graham, Wash., recorded a season-high 10 saves in Eastern’s narrow 1-0 loss to Idaho on Sunday. The Vandals took 24 total shots in the match, but only managed one goal thanks to the relentless defense of Walker. Walker is now one of only two players in the conference this season to record double-digit saves in a single game. Walker has now accomplished the feat three times in her career.
Others Nominated:
Offense: Allyssa Kenney - Idaho State
Defense: Taylor McBride - Idaho State