INDIANAPOLIS -- Loyola senior forward Ana Claudia Michelini (Ames, Iowa) is the Horizon League Women’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week, while Valparaiso junior goalkeeper Kristen Manski (Saint Charles, Ill.) has earned Defensive Player of the Week for the week of Sept. 3-9. The award is the first of both players’ careers.
Loyola (3-4-0) took two victories over the weekend, downing Yale, 2-1, in double overtime, before heading to Kalamazoo, Mich., and defeating Western Michigan, 2-1, in overtime. Manski led Valparaiso (4-2-1) to consecutive shutout wins, knocking off Western Michigan, 2-0, before a 3-0 win over Bowling Green.
Michelini tallied goals in both Rambler victories, scoring the game-winning goal against Yale, taking a cross from Sammy Gage and heading in the golden goal from six yards out. The senior was just getting started on the weekend, as she staked Loyola to an early 1-0 lead at WMU with her second goal in three days.
Manski collected her third and fourth shutouts of the year, moving into the Horizon League lead in the category. On the weekend, the junior made eight saves, including a six-save effort in a shutout of Western Michigan. Manski’s 0.69 goals-against-average ranks second in the Horizon League, while her 83.3 save percentage is tied for third among the League’s keepers.
Loyola will play two non-conference matches this week, beginning with a home match against South Dakota on Friday, Sept. 14 at 8:30 p.m. ET. The Ramblers will head to Bowling Green on Sunday, Sept. 16, taking on the Falcons at 1 p.m. ET. Manski will lead Valparaiso to IPFW, where the Crusaders and Mastodons will meet at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 16.
Top Offensive Performers for the Week:
Vickie Havas, Cleveland State (Fr., F) - Moved into the CSU lead with seven points after scoring the team’s lone goal of the weekend, coming in a 2-1 loss at Ohio.
Alyssa Riley, Detroit (So., M) - Assisted on both Detroit goals of the weekend, tying for the team lead with two points on the weekend.
Emily Friedl, Green Bay (So., M) - Posted a team-best four points on the weekend, leading the Phoenix to a 2-0 week. Friedl had the equalizing goal in a 3-1 win over South Dakota. The sophomore had assists in both matches.
Tara Ellis, Valparaiso (Jr., D) - Scored the match-winning goal on a direct free kick versus WMU before notching two assists in Valpo’s 3-0 victory over Bowling Green.
Ashley Miltko, Wright State (So., F) - Led Wright State’s four-goal second half at IUPUI, bookending the scoring for the Raiders with two goals.
Katie Hohmann, Youngstown State (Fr., F) - Scored her second career goal with just 48 seconds left in the first half against Niagara, leading the Penguins with four shots in the match.
Top Defensive Performers for the Week:
Sarah Dzuris, Detroit (Sr., M) - Earned All-Tournament Team recognition at the Outrigger Hotels and Resorts Classic, recording an assist while being one of two Titans to play all 201:36 of the weekend.
Women’s Soccer Offensive Players of the Week:
August 13: Amy Kauffung, Milwaukee
August 20: Kaitlyn Quarrell, Detroit
Jaime Avona, Cleveland State
August 27: Rachel Morrison, Youngstown State
September 3: Ana Claudia Michelini, Loyola
Women’s Soccer Defensive Players of the Week:
August 13: Jamie Forbes, Milwaukee
August 20: Nora Abolins, Detroit
August 27: Ali Viola, Youngstown State
September 3: Kristen Manski, Valparaiso
