INDIANAPOLIS -- Detroit sophomore goalkeeper Nora Abolins (Demorestville, Ontario, Canada) has been named Horizon League Women’s Soccer Player of the Week, for the week of Oct. 3-9. The award is the first of Abolins’ career.
With consecutive 1-0 road victories over Youngstown State and Loyola, Abolins extended her shutout streak to three matches as Detroit (11-4-1, 4-1-0 Horizon) remained one game behind No. 12 Milwaukee (13-1-0, 5-0-0 Horizon) in the Horizon League standings.
In both matches, Abolins recorded four saves, giving her 47 on the year. The sophomore is tied for fourth in the League with a 0.92 goals against average, while her six shutouts this season are second in the conference.
Abolins pushed her career shutouts total to 13, already third in Detroit history. Dating back to the Titans’ 2-1 loss at Milwaukee on Sept. 25, Abolins has not allowed a shot past her in 295:06, recording shutouts against Green Bay, Youngstown State and Loyola.
Currently sitting second on the League ladder, Abolins will be in net for a key conference match when Valparaiso (7-5-2, 3-1-0 Horizon) visits Titan Field on Saturday, Oct. 15 at 1 p.m. ET. The Crusaders enter the match one win behind Detroit for second place in the Horizon League.
Top Performers for the Week:
- Stephanie Kaylor, Butler (Fr., D) - A starting defender for the Bulldogs, Kaylor is Butler’s primary corner kick passer. In Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to Cleveland State, the freshman was integral in Butler’s 12-1 edge in corner kicks.
- Natalie Daniels, Cleveland State (Sr., M) - Daniels had the lone goal of the match in Cleveland State’s 1-0 road win at Butler. The tally added to her school records of 19 goals and 57 points.
- Sammy Gage, Loyola (Fr., F) - Gage put all four of her shots on goal last week to lead Loyola. In just six matches this year, Gage has picked up a goal and an assist.
- Keara Thompson, Milwaukee (Sr., M) - The Horizon League leader with 11 assists, Thompson recorded a goal and three assists last week as Milwaukee’s winning streak hit seven. In a 2-0 victory over visiting Valparaiso, Thompson collected the game-winning goal and assisted on the insurance tally. On Sunday, she assisted on two of the Panthers’ three goals in a 3-0 shutout of Youngstown State, including the game-winner.
- Mikki Nuccio, Valparaiso (Sr., F) - Providing a lift off the bench, Nuccio pushed Valparaiso past Cleveland State, 1-0, on Sunday, scoring the match’s only goal in the 88th minute. Both of Nuccio’s goals this season have been game-winners.
- Brittany Persaud, Wright State (Sr., F) - The senior notched the only goal in a 1-0 road victory at Green Bay on Sunday, providing Wright State with a crucial win. In a midweek match at Creighton, Persaud assisted on both Wright State goals in an eventual 4-2 loss. The senior’s 15 points are tied for fifth in the Horizon League.
Women’s Soccer Players of the Week:August 15:
Sarah Hagen, Milwaukee
August 22:
Kaitlyn Quarrell, Detroit
August 29:
Jamie Forbes, Milwaukee
September 5:
Nancy Newcomer, Cleveland State
September 12:
Rachel Hoaglin, Valparaiso
September 19:
Sarah Hagen, Milwaukee; Maddie Drusch, Green Bay
September 26:
Sarah Hagen, Milwaukee
October 3:
Nora Abolins, Detroit
Tags: Detroit Mercy - Women's Soccer · Horizon League - Women's Soccer
