CHICAGO — Saint Xavier University’s Ashley Smialek (Chicago, Ill.) recorded her first shutout of the season in goal and Holy Cross College’s McKenzie Blankenbaker (Granger, Ind.) notched the first multiple-goal match of her career en route to earning Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Women’s Soccer Defensive and Offensive Player of the Week accolades, respectively, which were announced Tuesday morning.
Smialek, a junior, stopped eight shots on goal in a 1-0 victory over Aquinas College (Mich.) on Friday to leave her with a 1.00 goals-against average in two matches this season.
The win was the first one on the season for the Cougars, who also dropped a 2-1 decision to Cornerstone University (Mich.) on Saturday. Saint Xavier is 1-3-1 on the season.
Blankenbaker, a freshman forward, totaled five points in an 8-0 win over Andrews University (Mich.) on Wednesday. She finished with two goals and one assist in the Saints’ second win of the young season.
Holy Cross also tied Saint Mary of the Woods College (Ind.) 1-1 on Saturday to leave it with a 2-1-1 mark for the season.
Other Offensive Nominees: Alejandra Alonso (St. Francis), Diana Lang (Saint Xavier), Tori Timerman (St. Ambrose).
Other Defensive Nominees: Jenna Ashley (Robert Morris Illinois), Ellie Provo (St. Francis), Erin Smothers (St. Ambrose), Nicola Waddell (Holy Cross).
