Oct. 21, 2008

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The 2008 NAIA Women’s Soccer National Players of the Week have been released for the seventh time this season. Erica Brown of Southern Nazarene (Okla.) University is honored as the NAIA Defensive Player of the Week while Amy Lawson of Westmont (Calif.) College is selected as the NAIA Offensive Player of the Week, for the week of Oct. 13-19. These winners were chosen out of a pool of conference player of the week performers among 22 conferences, independents and unaffiliateds.

Brown, a 5-6 junior goalkeeper from Norman, Okla., was credited with two double-overtime shut outs for No. 14 Southern Nazarene. Against Oklahoma Baptist, she stopped five shots in 110 minutes as the Storm tied with OBU 0-0. On the road against John Brown (Ark.), which was receiving votes in the poll, she again came up big with eight saves in 110 minutes. That match also ended in a 0-0 draw. In national statistics, she ranks No. 25 in goals against per game (0.420).

Lawson, a 5-9 senior forward from Honolulu, Hawaii scored both of Westmont’s match-winning goals in two conference wins against nationally-recognized opponents. Amy staked the Warriors to a 2-0 lead over Fresno Pacific (Calif.), which was receiving votes in the poll. She assisted on the team’s third goal to finish with five points in the 4-1 home win. In the 2-1 road win at No. 15 Concordia (Calif.), Amy drew a foul in the penalty box in the 28^th minute, which gave the Warriors an opportunity to take a 1-0 lead.  She then hit the back of the net from six yards out in the 44^th minute to give WC a 2-0 lead. That advantage was too much to overcome as WC won by a 2-1 score. For the week, she finished with three goals and one assist for seven points.

The next Player of the Week announcement will be released on Tuesday, Oct. 28.

For national statistics, please click here.

Offensive Nominees:
Amanda Bonds, Lady of the Lake (Texas); Kimmia Parker, Lindsey Wilson (Ky.); Abby Galen, Spring Hill (Ala.); Renata Peixoto, Union (Ky.); Christina Zimmerman, Texas Wesleyan; Chelsea Phillips, Graceland (Iowa); Aleesha Denmeade, Malone (Ohio); Emelie Lindstrom, Northwood (Fla.); Amanda Just, Ottawa (Kan.); Katelyn Devereax, Fisher (Mass.); Britannique Clayberg, Northwest (Wash.); Lyndsey Bittle, William Woods (Mo.); Christina Thornton, Judson (Ill.); Whitney Chappell, Central Christian (Kan.); Anja Klotzle, Lyon (Ark.); Summer White, Rogers State (Okla.); Brittany Smith, Indiana Wesleyan; Kaila Moore, Madonna (Mich.); Jenna Achten, Lee (Tenn.); Abby Jenkins, Rocky Mountain (Mont.); Shannon Wickstrom, Viterbo (Wis.)

Defensive Nominees:

Lynsey Winkler, Spring Hill (Ala.); Jessica Courter, Union (Ky.); Haley Mancini, Siena Heights (Mich.); Becky Davenport, Pikeville (Ky.); Carling Rootes, Texas at Brownsville; Rebekah Niedermayer, Trinity International (Ill.); Didi Jurman, Northwood (Fla.); Marisa Brownell, Kansas Wesleyan; Jordan Holmes, Northwest (Wash.); Carissa Gregory, Benedictine (Kan.); Julia Bazi, Martin Methodist (Tenn.); Samantha Choma, Houghton (N.Y.); Lisa Lesnick, Brenau (Ga.); Liz Osterman, Bellevue (Neb.); Erica Inendino, St. Ambrose (Iowa); Jackie Nelson, Rocky Mountain (Mont.); Shannel Thomas, Hope International (Calif.); Shawna Lane, Taylor (Ind.); Aubrey Parrish, SUNY-Canton (N.Y.); Danielle Richardson, Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.)

2008 Composite Award Winners (Schedule):

WEEK 1:

Offense: Theresa Broad (Azusa Pacific (Calif.) University) – JR, F

Defense: Katie Rorabaugh (Azusa Pacific (Calif.) University) – JR, D

WEEK 2:

Offense: Nicole O’Donnell (Martin Methodist (Tenn.) College) – FR, F

Defense: Didi Jurman (Northwood (Fla.) University) – JR, GK

WEEK 3:

Offense: Jamie Achten (Lee (Tenn.) University) – FR, F

Defense: Leigha Terry (Lee (Tenn.) University) – JR, GK

WEEK 4:

Offense: Rachel Eguren (Southern Nazarene (Okla.) University) – SO, F

Defense: Megan Newland (Park (Mo.) University) – SR, GK

WEEK 5:

Offense: Caroline Dixon (Oklahoma City University) – FR, F

Defense: Jenessa Loewen (Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio) University) – SO, GK

WEEK 6:

Offense: Bridget Brotherton (Azusa Pacific (Calif.) University) – SR, F

Defense: Mallory Phillips (Savannah College of Art & Design (Ga.)) – SR, D

WEEK 7:

Offense: Amy Lawson (Westmont (Calif.) College) – SR, F

Defense: Erica Brown (Southern Nazarene (Okla.) University) – JR, GK