Women's Team of the Week: September 6

Women's Team of the Week: September 6
by TopDrawerSoccer
September 6, 2022

It was the strength first — a little nudge of her opponent's shoulder to knock her off the ball. Then, the strides, eating up grass while pushing towards goal. And finally, the shot, one blasted past the keeper from just outside the box. Those three steps put together a sublime go ahead goal for UCLA’s Reilyn Turner — her second of the week.

The forward was the difference maker in the Bruins’ back-to-back wins over UNC and Duke, scoring game winners in both as they knocked off two top teams on the road. There wasn’t a better — or more important — player in college soccer this week.

Player of the Week: Reilyn Turner, UCLA

Here are 10 other top performers to round out our team of the week.

GK Lauren Brzykcy, UCLA - The “brick wall” jokes write themselves. But Bryzkcy was imperious last week. She tallied 13 saves across two contests against UNC and Duke, helping UCLA beat two of the best teams in the country.

D Hannah Luke, Creighton - Luke led the Blue Jays to a solid week, helping them keep consecutive clean sheets against tough opponents. Creighton’s opponents only managed seven shots across the two contests.

D Elise Evans, Stanford - Evans contributed at both ends of the pitch for the Cardinal this week. Her defensive work helped keep a clean sheet against Penn State, while her headed goal was one of four scores for the Cardinal in a win over Cal Poly.

D Emilee Hauser, Arkansas - Hauser provided two assists for the Razorbacks in a 3-0 win over Western Michigan Thursday evening. She followed that up with a solid defensive performance, as her side shut out Michigan State.

M Raegan Kelley, Vanderbilt - Kelley was at the center of the Commodores two wins last week. She notched an assist in a 4-0 win over Providence, contributing to a dominant performance. Kelley was even better against ETSU, scoring twice and adding two assists to keep Vanderbilt unbeaten.

M Luz Arreaga, Nevada - Arreaga dragged Nevada to victory over Sacramento State. She opened the scoring in the 9th minute, added a second in the 29th and then provided an assist for the Wolf Pack’s third. Her standout play carried Nevada to its first win in a home opener since 2016.

M Croix Bethune, USC - After a quiet start to the season, Bethune came alive against TCU. She contributed to all three of the Trojans' goals, scoring two and assisting one. Her second goal — a quick turn of pace around a TCU defender and neat finish — was particularly impressive.

F Ainsley Ahmadian, Harvard - Ahmadian has started the 2022 season in fine form, scoring four goals across the Crimson’s first three games. She was a standout in a 2-0 win over NC State, where she found the net twice to deposit a top 20 team.

F Reilyn Turner, UCLA - A huge pair of games from Turner inspired UCLA to its huge results. Her individual effort against UNC was extremely impressive.

F Emily Gaebe, Saint Louis - Gaebe has been instrumental in the Billikens’ recovery from a home loss to Notre Dame. In the three games since, Gaebe has scored four and assisted one, highlighted by a brace at Missouri State.

Honorable Mentions: F Lena Silano (Long Beach State), F Brianna Jablonowski (Virginia), F, Michelle Cooper (Duke), M Gracie English (Missouri State), F Catherine Barry (South Carolina), F Ava Seelenfreund (Brown), M Ava Nace (Northeastern), M Felixia Knox (Alabama), GK Molly Piso (Drexel), D Aspen Seaich (Western Kentucky), D Jenna Studer (Washington State), M Aurea Del Carmen (Northwestern), M Olivia Stowell (Wake Forest), F Shyra James (Colorado), F Emma Hawkins (Oklahoma(w))

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