Kristin Player tabbed SoCon Player of the Week

Kristin Player

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – For the second time in three weeks, UNCG forward Kristin Player has been named the Southern Conference Women's Soccer Player of the Week, the league office announced Tuesday.

Player scored seven points on three goals and assist last week as UNCG took over sole possession of first place in the SoCon standings with road wins over The Citadel and College of Charleston. The redshirt senior scored a pair of game-winning goals, both of them in dramatic fashion in the final seven minutes of games that had been tied to that point.

Against The Citadel on Friday, Player's goal in the 84th minute snapped a 2-2 tie and put the Spartans ahead for good with just minutes to play. A minute later, she assisted on another goal as UNCG added some insurance. The assist was her sixth of the season, matching her career high.

In a battle of SoCon leaders two days later at CofC, Player scored both goals in UNCG's 2-1 win. Her 13th-minute strike gave UNCG a lead it would hold most of the day before the Cougars tied the game in the 84th minute. Player answered quickly, scoring her second goal of the day in the 88th minute to give the Spartans the win.

The honor is the second of the week for the Placentia, Calif., native, who was named to CollegeSoccer360.com's Primetime Performers Weekly Honor Roll on Monday.

The award is also the second of its kind for Player this season. She was also the SoCon Player of the Week on Sept. 27.

UNCG's leading scorer with 20 points on seven goals and six assists, Player has flourished since the Spartans moved into league play a few weeks ago. With 18 points on seven goals and four assists, Player leads the SoCon in points, goals and assists in conference games. 

Her recent power surge has moved her into sixth place in UNCG history in career goals (31) and points (83), while she is eighth in career assists (21). Player is the SoCon's active career leader in all three categories.

UNCG returns to action Friday when it hosts Wofford at the UNCG Soccer Stadium at 7 p.m.

AGATE
2011 SoCon Women's Soccer Players of the Week
Aug. 23    Julia Singley, Davidson
Aug. 30    Hannah Stanifer, Furman
Sept. 6    Vanessa Aponte, The Citadel
Sept. 13   Becca Smith, Chattanooga
               Emily Bougas, Wofford
Sept. 20   Bethany Houpt, Elon
Sept. 27   Kristin Player, UNCG
Oct. 4      Amy Kolowsky, Appalachian State
Oct. 11    Kristin Player, UNCG

- UNCG -