Big South Announces Women's Soccer Players of the Week - Sept. 8
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 Spartans defender
Catarina Dantas (Boca Raton, Fla.) is the Defensive Player of the Week for matches played Sept. 1-7, it was announced today. In addition, Radford midfielder
Abby Walsh (Savannah, Ga.) has been selected as the Freshman of the Week.
Russo scored both goals in USC Upstate’s 2-2 draw with Furman and finished the week with five points. The senior struck in the ninth minute before adding the equalizer in the 83rd, marking her second career brace and fifth multi-goal game. She played all 90 minutes against the Paladins and recorded four shots. Russo then closed the week on Sunday with an assist in the 81st minute to seal a 2-0 road win at VMI.
Dantas assisted on USC Upstate’s equalizer against Furman and anchored a shutout against VMI. With under eight minutes to play, the senior set up Russo’s tying goal at the 82:14 mark to help the Spartans secure a 2-2 draw with the Paladins. She then led a defensive effort that held VMI scoreless on Sunday, limiting the Keydets to two shots on goal and no corner kicks.
Walsh scored the game-winning goal in Radford’s 2-1 victory over Morehead State, the Highlanders’ lone match of the week. With the score tied in the second half, the freshman found the net from outside the box in the 73rd minute to give Radford the lead for good. It was her second career goal and came on her only shot in 27 minutes of action.
Also nominated for Offensive Player of the Week:
Paige Olson (Radford).
Also nominated for Defensive Player of the Week:
Savannah Dixon (Gardner-Webb) and
Sara Curtis (Longwood).
Also nominated for Freshman of the Week:
Ila Allred (Gardner-Webb),
Reese Coggeshall (Longwood) and
Lilly Graumann (UNC Asheville).