Oct. 28, 2008

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The 2008 NAIA Women’s Soccer National Players of the Week have been released for the eighth time this season. Kristi Koudelka of Lee (Tenn.) University is honored as the NAIA Defensive Player of the Week while Helena Melin of Northwood (Texas) University is selected as the NAIA Offensive Player of the Week, for the week of Oct. 20-26. These winners were chosen out of a pool of conference player of the week performers among 22 conferences, independents and unaffiliateds.

Koudelka, a 5-8 sophomore goaltender from Houston, Texas, went for two complete match shut-outs and a combined shut-out in a 3-0 week for the No. 2 Lee Flames. In the 5-0 home win versus No. 5 Berry (Ga.), she made three saves and followed that with a blanking of NCAA Division II Carson-Newman (Tenn.). Kristi finished the week by completing a scoreless first half in the 10-0 win over Columbia (S.C.). For the week, she made four saves in 225 minutes between the pipes. Kristi has now run her scoreless streak to 430 straight minutes. On the year, she has appeared in seven matches and allowed just one goal.

Melin, a 5-5 sophomore forward from Hulebackgymnaasiet, Sweden, set a single-match record and totaled 14 points in two wins for Northwood. Against Huston-Tillotson (Texas), she notched three goals and a school-record six assists. The six helpers also tied for the second-highest tally in NAIA records and the first six-assist match since Aug. 30, 2007. In the 4-0 victory over Bacone (Okla.), Helena had two assists. She currently ranks second in the country with 23 assists in 15 matches.

The next Player of the Week announcement will be released on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

For national statistics, please click here.

Offensive Nominees:
Michelle Davis, Olivet Nazarene (Ill.); Jessica Estep, Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio); Ashley Tankersley, Lindenwood (Mo.); Kimmia Parker, Lindsey Wilson (Ky.); Natalia Nino, William Carey (Miss.); Jessica Burden, Tabor (Kan.); Theresa Kaiser, McKendree (Ill.); Christiane Christensen, Lee (Tenn.); Camilla Hovden, Martin Methodist (Tenn.); Jessica Austin, Madonna (Mich.); Melissa Feuerriegel, SCAD (Ga.); Kaitlyn Tebbs, Concordia (Ore.); Heather Hable, Montreat (N.C.); Amanda Bonds, Lady of the Lake (Texas); Tasia Murray, Sioux Falls (S.D.); Jenna Pendley, Bellevue (Neb.); Mackenzie Skay, Mount Mercy (Iowa); Becca Mathews, Indiana Wesleyan; Brianne McGary, Maine-Fort kent; Allie Beckers, Rocky Mountain (Mont.); Courtney Opie, Simpson (Calif.)

Defensive Nominees:

Emily Tadla, Olivet Nazarene (Ill.); Trista Rivera, Texas Wesleyan; Carrie Revlett, Lindsey Wilson (Ky.); Katie Arsenault, Midway (Ky.); Marisa Brownell, Kansas Wesleyan; Dayna Winter-Nolte, Westminster (Utah); Jordan Morrison, William Carey (Miss.); Tatiane Alexio, Martin Methodist (Tenn.); Georgie Christensen, Concordia (Ore.); Hillary Brown, St. Mary (Neb.); Kara Farnsworth, Roberts Wesleyan (N.Y.); Chloe Cowart, Embry-Riddle (Fla.); Julianne Bruining, Cornerstone (Mich.); Kristen Dolen, William Penn (Iowa); Shanae Armstrong, Maine-Fort Kent; Emma Wells, King (Tenn.); Amanda Barret, Westmont (Calif.); Brittany Zuzga, Spring Arbor (Mich.); Erica Brown, Southern Nazarene (Okla.); Jordan England, Simpson (Calif.); Megan Kreifels, Hastings (Neb.)

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

WEEK 8:

Offense: Helena Melin (Northwood (Texas) University) – SO, F

Defense: Kristi Koudelka (Lee (Tenn.) University) – SO, GK