BAY CITY, Mich. -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced its weekly awards after Week 7 of the 2017 women's soccer season. Ashland senior forward Morgan Bittengle earned GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week accolades, while Tiffin senior goalkeeper Samantha Ortenzi claimed GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Morgan Bittengle, Ashland
Ashland senior forward Morgan Bittengle scored four goals in two games last week, including a hat trick in Sunday's 4-1 win at Northern Michigan. Bittengle was credited with the game-winning goal in both games, scoring the second goal of a 2-1 win at Michigan Tech. She now has two career hat tricks, the last coming in the 2014 GLIAC Tournament semifinal against Ferris State. Bittengle is tied for second in the GLIAC with 10 goals - eight of which have come in the last seven games. The Eagles have won seven of their last eight games.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Samantha Ortenzi, Tiffin
Tiffin's senior netminder Samantha Ortenzi proved to be a tough customer this past weekend, picking up two wins in the Upper Peninsula. Ortenzi finished her weekend with 14 saves and a .933 save percentage. She shutout Northern Michigan on Friday, collecting two saves. On Sunday Ortenzi finished with 12 saves in a 2-1 overtime win for the Dragons. Samantha leads the GLIAC in saves with 101. She has amassed 484 saves in 62 career games, and is Tiffin's all-time leader in saves.
HONORABLE MENTION
OFFENSE: Julia Jonassen (NMU), Shayna Coy (PNW), Adrianna Currie (TU), Sakura Bals (SVSU), Carley Dubbert (FSU), Tara Lierman (GVSU), Karina Parker (NU), Taylor Archibald (MTU)
DEFENSE: Lauren McElroy (PNW), Jennifer Muana (SVSU), Hillary Mihalik (AU), Grace Kraft (FSU), Madz Ham (GVSU), Samantha Medici (NU), Amanda Young (MTU)
