It was the movement that made the goal. Texas forward Lexi Missimo floated off the back shoulder of an opposing defender, waiting for the exact moment to dart into the box. And as her teammate Trinity Byars cut onto her right foot and looked up, Missimo was gone, striding towards the ball that was already on it way. She met Byars’ cross with a headed dink into the corner — a simple finish from an admittedly simple run.

That header was Missimo’s second goal of the game, one of five total goal involvements across Texas’s two wins. And while her teammates buzzed around on either wing, Missimo operated expertly from central areas, facilitating an attack that scored seven goals in two games. It was a week well worthy of a player of the week nod.

Player of The Week: Lexi Missimo, Texas

GK Angelina Anderson, California - Anderson kept two clean sheets to lead the Bears to a 1-0-1 week. She made some timely stops, too, helping hold on to a 1-0 lead against Santa Clara as the clock ticked.

D Rebecca Fluchel, Rutgers - Fluchel had been a crucial part of a Rutgers team that has gone 8-0 so far. She proved as such last weekend, helping the Scarlet Knights stay solid defensively while also providing a neat assist against La Salle.

D Sheridan Michel, Oklahoma - the defender helped a backline that allowed opponents few looks over the weekend. She also scored her first college goal in a 5-2 rout of Oral Roberts.

D Mackenzie Reuber, Bowling Green - Reuber anchored a backline that posted a clean sheet last weekend — limiting Valpo(w) to just two shots. She contributed at the other end, too, providing an assist.

M Peyton McNamara, Ohio State - McNamara scored twice and added an assist as the Buckeyes enjoyed a 2-0 week. Her brace against Kent State featured two classy striker’s finishes.

M Maison Henry, UNCW(w) - Henry ran the game as UNCW deposited UNCG(w), scoring three of the team’s five goals, before assisting another. It was a dominant all-round performance from the junior midfielder.

M Lexi Missimo, Texas - Her five goal contributions were instrumental in lifting the Longhorns to an undefeated week.

M Meredith Haakenson, Michigan - Haakenson scored twice and added two assists as Michigan went 1-0-1. Her helper against Colorado was crucial in snatching a hard-earned 1-1 tie.

F Caroline Kelly, Saint Louis - Kelly scored three goals across two games, including a brace to lead the Billikens to a 3-2 road win over Xavier. Her equalizer — a curled shot from outside the area — was one of the best goals of the week.

F Anna Podojil, Arkansas - Podojil found form in front of goal last week, bagging three goals as the Razorbacks picked up a couple of good road results. She scored and assisted against BYU, before grabbing a brace at Grand Canyon.

F Simone Jackson, USC - Jackson turned in two solid performances last week. First, she had a hand in both of USC’s goals against CSUN — scoring and assisting in a 2-0 win. Then, she scored the equalizer in the Trojans’ 1-1 tie with a resilient Nebraska side.

Honorable mentions:
M Sam Kroeger (Rutgers), F Tyler Isgrig (TCU), F Camryn Evans (Michigan State), M Bailey Manfred (Charlotte), F Grayson Lynch (Washington State), GK Savannah Barron (Charleston(w)), GK Kathyrn McNeil (Bryant), F Jada Konte (Connecticut), F Maddie Simpson (Auburn), M Julia Leas (Georgetown), D Jylissa Harris (South Carolina)