Big South Announces Women's Soccer Players of the Week - Sept. 22
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (www.BigSouthSports.com) – USC Upstate forward
Dara Russo (Miamisburg, Ohio) has been named the Big South Women’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week, while Charleston Southern goalkeeper
Avery Mason (Andover, Kan.) is the Defensive Player of the Week for matches played Sept. 15-21, it was announced today. In addition, Winthrop midfielder
Lindsay Sheets (Lake Mary, Fla.) has been selected as the Freshman of the Week.
Russo scored the 78th-minute game-winner to complete USC Upstate’s comeback victory at Winthrop. After the Spartans tied the match in the 56th minute, the senior delivered the unassisted winner with less than 13 minutes remaining for a 3-2 lead. She recorded her fifth goal of the season and second game-winner of the year, finishing with five of Upstate’s 14 shots, including two on frame, in 78 minutes of play.
Mason matched her career high with seven saves in a 1-0 shutout win at UNC Asheville. The sophomore faced 16 shots overall, recording two saves in the first half and five in the second — including two following Charleston Southern’s go-ahead goal in the 70th minute. Her seven saves were the most by a Big South goalkeeper in a shutout performance last week.
Sheets scored one of Winthrop’s two goals Saturday against USC Upstate. With the match tied after halftime, the freshman beat a defender at the top of the box and fired a shot into the upper-left corner for a 2-1 lead in the 53rd minute. Her unassisted goal came on her lone attempt of the match in 58 minutes of action.
Also nominated for Offensive Player of the Week:
Meghan Piazza (Longwood) and
Ava Kertgate (Radford).
Also nominated for Defensive Player of the Week:
Berni Wayland (Longwood),
Jillian Silverstone (Radford) and
Catarina Dantas (USC Upstate).
Also nominated for Freshman of the Week:
Sarah Olson (Longwood) and
Maddie Smith (USC Upstate).