OGDEN, Utah (October 20, 2015) – It was almost an Idaho sweep in this week’s Big Sky Conference soccer Players of the Week awards, but Northern Colorado’s Mariel Gutierrez joined Vandal forward Olivia Baggerly as this week’s Co-Offensive Players of the Week. Vandal defender, Kelly Dopke was named this week’s Defensive Player of the Week.
Guiterrez, a freshman from Gypsum, Colo., helped lead Northern Colorado to two wins this past weekend by scoring the game-winning goals against Sacramento State and Portland state. On Friday, she scored the ‘golden goal’ in overtime on a free kick to seal the Bears’ 2-1 win over Sacramento State. She followed with a goal just before halftime in UNC’s 1-0 win at Portland State. Gutierrez is tied for second on the Bears’ squad with four goals on the season. This is her first career weekly honor.
Baggerly, a sophomore from Canby, Ore., picked up her first career weekly honor after scoring two goals and posting an assist in the Vandals’ two wins over Southern Utah and Northern Arizona. On Friday, Baggerly earned a goal and an assist in UI’s 4-0 win over SUU. She followed with a goal in Sunday’s 4-1 win over NAU. She is second on the team in goals (5) and assists (8).
Dopke, a freshman from Arcadia, Calif., has helped the Vandals earn seven shutouts to date. Dopke had a strong performance against Southern Utah, as she controlled the back line and helped Idaho earn another shutout in league play. She followed that performance up by scoring her first collegiate goal against Northern Arizona. Dopke also added an assist against the Lumberjacks, the first of her career. This is her first career weekly honor.
Others Nominated
Offense: Alyssa Anderson – Sacramento State; Logan Harker – Southern Utah; Mackenzie Akins – Montana; Chloe Williams – Eastern Washington; Cori Bianchini -- Portland State
Defensive: Maddie Chase – Northern Colorado; Brecken Holbrook – Weber State; Alexa Heinzer – Sacramento State; Jessica French – Southern Utah; Kelly Norman -- Montana