Pereira, Howard, and Riccardi Claim Wilson Women's Soccer Weekly Honors
MAAC Sports
Wilson Offensive Player of the Week
Andrea Pereira, Siena
Jr., F/M, 5-2, Chester, NY/Monroe-Woodbury
Pereira came off the bench to tie a Siena single-game record with seven points in the Saints’ lone match last week, a convincing 7-0 win over Saint Peter’s to open conference action. Fresh off the bench, Pereira ignited Siena’s scoring spree of six goals in just 15:32 and amazingly scored all of her seven points in just her first four and a half minutes on the field. She factored in each of the Saints’ first four goals, including the Saints’ second, third and fourth scores which were tallied in just 2:07, marking the 13th fastest time in NCAA history in which a team has scored three consecutive goals. She opened the scoring with her first goal of the season in the 26th minute and would complete her natural hat trick in just 3:37, only 95 seconds off women's soccer legend Abby Wambach's record for the fastest hat trick in NCAA history (2:02). Pereira’s first goal proved to be the game-winner and she also picked up an assist.
Wilson Defensive Player of the Week
Bethany-May Howard, Rider
Jr., GK, 5-7, Glastonbury, England/Bridgwater College
The reigning MAAC Defensive Player of the Week, Howard, led Rider to a 2-0 shutout victory over Quinnipiac, opening up league play with a 1-0 record. The junior goalkeeper made 10 saves in the win, playing in all 90 minutes of the match. The shutout was Howards third straight, and ninth in the past two seasons. She ranks seventh nationally in saves per game (8.00) and second in the MAAC in save percentage (84.2%).
Wilson Rookie of the Week
Meghan Riccardi, Siena
Fr., F/M, 5-4, Hopewell Junction, NY/Our Lady of Lourdes
Riccardi erupted for six points on a pair of goals and assists in the Saints’ convincing 7-0 win over Saint Peter’s to open conference action Saturday. When Riccardi came off the bench for her first action in the 25th minute, the game was scoreless. By the time she checked out in the 42nd minute, Siena had a 6-0 lead with Riccardi factoring in the scoring on four of the Saints’ six goals. She assisted on the Saints’ first goal – which would prove to be the game-winner – and scored all six of her points in just 16 minutes of action. Her six points were just one point shy of Siena’s single-match record.