Valdespino, Allen and Sabadash Named Soccer Players of the Week
Southland Soccer Weekly Notes (PDF)
FRISCO, Texas – Nicholls senior forward Spencer Valdespino, and Southeastern Louisiana senior defender Maddie Allen and junior goalkeeper Hope Sabadash were named the Southland Conference Women’s Soccer Players of the Week presented by UniversalCoin.com, the league announced Tuesday. Valdespino earned offensive honors while Allen received defensive accolades and Sabadash was tabbed top goalkeeper of the week.
Offensive Player of the Week – Spencer Valdespino, Nicholls
Valdespino, a senior from Spring Hill, Fla. (Bishop McLaughlin Catholic H.S.), has lifted Nicholls from last place to postseason contention in less than two weeks. Over the weekend Valdespino took 15 shots and scored three goals, while adding an assist, in consecutive victories over Northwestern State and Central Arkansas. She leads the Southland Conference in shots (92), shots per game (5.75) and shots on goal per game (2.69). Valdespino is also tops in the league in points (28), points per game (1.75), goals (13), goals per game (0.81) and game-winning goals (four).
Honorable Mention: Dylan Owens, Abilene Christian; Esdeina Gonzales, Northwestern State; Hanna Barker, Stephen F. Austin; Rebekah Tovar, Houston Baptist.
Defensive Player of the Week – Maddie Allen, Southeastern Louisiana
Allen, a senior from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (Colonel By Secondary), had a throw-in that led to the lone goal of the Central Arkansas match by Ana Zadro in the opening minutes on Friday. Allen helped the Lady Lions record eighth shutout of the season. She was part of a defense that limited UCA to eight shots, three on goal. She had the assist on Maggie Ramsey’s match-tying goal in the second half against Northwestern State on Sunday. Allen helped lead the Lady Lion defense that limited the Lady Demons to one goal on 11 shots, nine on goal.
Honorable Mention: Elizabeth Adams, Houston Baptist; Brooke Dunnigan, Stephen F. Austin; Nichole Dupin, Nicholls.
Goalkeeper of the Week – Hope Sabadash, Southeastern Louisiana
Sabadash, a junior from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada (Our Lady of Mount Carmel), recorded eighth shutout of season against Central Arkansas on Friday. Sabadash made 3 saves while facing three shots on goal. She made seven saves, her top total in league play this season, and allowed one goal against Northwestern State on Sunday. Sabadash faced nine shots on goal throughout the weekend.
Honorable Mention: Lillie Ehlert, Stephen F. Austin; Alanis Guevara, Houston Baptist.
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.