Mounie, Ricks and Newton Named Soccer Players of the Week
Southland Soccer News and Stats
FRISCO, Texas – Central Arkansas junior forward Dayna Mounie and sophomore defender Kristen Ricks, and Abilene Christian senior goalkeeper Sydney Newton were named the Southland Conference Women’s Soccer Players of the Week presented by UniversalCoin.com, the league announced Tuesday. Mounie earned offensive honors while Ricks received defensive accolades and Newton was tabbed the top goalkeeper for the week.
Offensive Player of the Week – Dayna Mounie, Central Arkansas
Mounie played a key role in helping the Bears move into first place in the Southland Conference with their first win over Stephen F. Austin in 10 years. With the Bears trailing 1-0 in the 73rd minute, she worked herself into a dangerous position in the box, where she was on the receiving end of a cross from Alex Moore. Mounie got her head on it and directed the ball in, tying the match at 1-1. With the clock winding down in the 88th minute, Mounie generated another goal, this time launching a cross into the box for Camille Bassett, who gave the Bears their first win in Nacogdoches with a header inside the back post.
Honorable Mention: Nola Prickett, McNeese; Brittany Caserma, Northwestern State; Natalie Throneberry, Abilene Christian; Yvette Franco, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
Defensive Player of the Week – Kristen Ricks, Central Arkansas
Ricks was a central piece of a Central Arkansas back line that limited Stephen F. Austin to six shots in Friday night’s match, including just two on goal. The Ladyjacks entered the match averaging 11.70 shots and 2.20 goals per game but Ricks and the rest of the UCA defense were able to halve those numbers to move into first place in the conference and remain the only team unbeaten in Southland play.
Honorable Mention: Chantal Kinsey, Abilene Christian; Gabi D’Alesandro, McNeese; Maddie Kresevic, Southeastern Louisiana.
Goalkeeper of the Week – Sydney Newton, Abilene Christian
Newton made five saves against the Houston Baptist in a 3-0 win, giving her five shutouts this season and nine in her career. She has blanked four of the six Southland Conference schools she’s faced so far this season. Newton leads the league with a 0.78 goals against average and .417 shutouts per game.
Honorable Mention: Lauren Lovejoy, Lamar; Hope Sabadash, Southeastern Louisiana; Annie Bravenec, McNeese.
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.