Morrison, Viola Lead YSU to Sweep of Horizon League Women's Soccer Weekly Honors

INDIANAPOLIS -- Youngstown State junior forward Rachel Morrison (New Philadelphia, Ohio) is the Horizon League Women’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week, while YSU junior goalkeeper Ali Viola (North Huntingdon, Pa.) has earned Defensive Player of the Week for the week of Aug. 20-26. The award is the first of each players’ careers.

At 4-0-0, Youngstown State is off to the best start in the program’s history. The Penguins knocked off Buffalo, 1-0, before a 4-0 rout of Canisius on Friday.

Morrison scored twice against Canisius, becoming the first YSU player in nearly a year to score more than a single goal in a match. With three goals on the year, Morrison is one of four Horizon League players tied atop the ledger.

Viola did not allow a goal in 180 minutes of play, collecting her second and third shutouts of the year. Against Buffalo, Viola was instrumental in the Penguin win, making nine saves in the match, the second-highest single-game total in the Horizon League this year.

On the week, Viola made 12 saves while moving into third all-time in YSU history for career shutouts with five.

The Penguins will travel to Kent State for a match on Friday, Sept. 7 before returning home to host Niagara on Sunday, Sept. 9. The Horizon League Network will have live coverage of the match, beginning at 4 p.m. ET.

Top Offensive Performers for the Week:
Nina Carter, Detroit(Sr., M) - Scored both Detroit’s goals in a 3-2 setback to Oakland.
Luisa Desario, Valparaiso(Sr., F) - Moved into fifth place in Valparaiso history in both goals (16) and points (39) with her tally in a 3-1 loss at Iowa.

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

Women’s Soccer Defensive Players of the Week:

August 13:     Jamie Forbes, Milwaukee

August 20:     Nora Abolins, Detroit

August 27:     Ali Viola, Youngstown State