GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced its weekly awards after the first weekend of competition to begin the 2018 women's soccer season. Grand Valley State junior midfielder Riko Sagara earned GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week accolades, while Saginaw Valley senior defender Amanda Minissale claimed GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Riko Sagara - Grand Valley State
Grand Valley State junior midfielder Riko Sagara scored three goals and added one assist for seven points in first two matches of season to propel the Lakers to a 2-0 start with wins over Bellarmine and Missour-St. Louis. Sagara recorded the game-winning goal in both matches and was highly influential in another score where the forward took too long to find the back of the net. She recorded nine shots, including four on goal between first two matches and scored on a brilliant free kick Sunday for her second goal of the match.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Amanda Minissale - Saginaw Valley
Saginaw Valley senior defender Amanda Minissale helped lead the Cardinals to a 2-0 road record over the weekend with wins over regional foes Ohio Dominican and Alderson Broaddus. She helped keep a clean sheet for the Cards in the 8-0 over ABU, also contributing a goal and assist in the victory.
HONORABLE MENTION
OFFENSE: Gabby Sgambati (MTU), Katelyn Wilkowski (NU), Alayna Hilgendorf (DU), Faith Lewis (AU), Taelor Moore (NMU), Kayla Trevino (SVSU), Pia Nagel (FSU)
DEFENSE: Amanda Young (MTU), Alyssa Cowper (NU), Macie DeWyse (DU), Jessica Radice (GVSU), Hannah Lee (AU), Brianna Frontuto (NMU), Alison Chesterfield (FSU)
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