Photo: Victoria Riccobono
By Brian Maurer
There are several top women’s soccer teams that are on absolute tears as non-conference schedules wrap up. It was another week that included top performances from several freshman as well.
Here’s our women’s soccer Week 4 awards:
Team of the Week
Wake Forest
The Demon Deacons finished their non-conference schedule with a perfect 7-0 record after beating USF and Florida this past week. Their schedule included multiple ranked opponents and three from the SEC. Wake Forest has built up a ton of momentum as they head into ACC action led by Sierra Sythe who has scored in four straight games.
Offensive Player of the Week
Ólöf Kristinsdóttir – Senior – Forward – Harvard
Ólöf Kristinsdóttir had a massive impact this past week as she scored against Boston and then contributed to four goals (1g/3a) against ranked Alabama, both games on the road. After her strong performance she is on track to have her best collegiate season yet as she is four goals and three goal contributions away from tying her career best.
Defensive Player of the Week
Margo Matula – Senior – Centerback – Vanderbilt
Margo Matula scored a brace against Tennessee Tech and then played the full 90 enroute to Vanderbilt securing their seventh straight win over Xavier 4-1. Vanderbilt are another top team looking to contend as they head into SEC play currently ranked inside the top five nationally.
Goalkeeper of the Week
Josie Biehl – Freshman – Southern California
Josie Biehl allowed two goals but made save after save to help USC hold on for a road point against the top team in the nation Stanford. Biehl and the Trojans took a lead and were defending to keep any result they could for most of the afternoon as they faced 26 total shots and Biehl made seven saves to hold on for the draw.
Freshman of the Week
Georgia Steinbach – Midfielder – Brown
Georgia Steinbach had a goal contribution in back-to-back games for Brown as they beat Massachusetts and then UCF last week. It was Steinbach’s first career start against UCF and she rewarded the coaching decision by hitting the opening goal which ended up being the game winner.