Smith, Taylor & Ballay Garner Women's Soccer Weekly Awards
MAAC Sports
Offensive Player of the Week
Brianna Smith, Canisius, Jr., F, 5-5, Buffalo, N.Y./Nichols
Smith scored a pair of game-winning goals as the Golden Griffins went 2-0 this past weekend. In Sunday's 2-1 win over Manhattan in the team's home finale at the Demske Sports Complex, she headed home the game winner in the 75th minute off a corner kick by sophomore back Jenny Piaggione. Prior to Sunday's win, Smith rallied the Griffs to a 3-2 comeback win in double overtime over Saint Peter's on Friday evening with her first career hat trick. She has accounted for six of the Griffs' last seven goals since opening conference play on Iona on Oct. 5. The junior has registered 12 points in the span of four games. As the Griffs' leading goal scorer and point leader, she currently has 10 goals for 20 points on the season.
Defensive Player of the Week
Amanda Taylor, Niagara, Sr., GK, 5-6, Rochester, N.Y./Nazareth Academy
Taylor helped the Niagara women's soccer team to a pair of weekend conference victories, earning her first and second shutout of the season. She made her first start against the Manhattan Jaspers on Friday, Oct. 12, making four saves in the 1-0 win. On Sunday, the senior stopped two Saint Peter's shots en route to NU's 7-0 victory for her second straight shutout. The Rochester, N.Y. native has seen 225:00 minutes of action so far this season, for a 0.00 goals against average, and a 1.00 save percentage.
Rookie of the Week
Tara Ballay, Rider, Fr., MF, 5-4, Delran, N.J./Delran
In Rider's 1-1 double overtime time with Loyola, Ballay scored a header 12 minutes into the second half to tie the score. The goal was the second in two games for Ballay and her team-high fourth of the season.