TDS Women’s Team of the Week: Sept. 29

by TopDrawerSoccer

September 29, 2015

Conference play continues to ramp up, as most major leagues are now in full swing.

Last week served up some exciting and electric matchups. A number of the top talents landed Team of the Week honors, including one particular performance from a Florida State freshman.

Previous Teams of the Week: Aug. 25 | Sept. 1 | Sept. 8 | Sept. 15 | Sept. 22

Below is the latest Team of the Week. Please email future nominations to college@topdrawersoccer.com.

Player of the Week: Megan Connolly, Florida State

Team of the Week: Sept. 21-27

GK Arielle Schechtman, UCLA – Schechtman delivered a critical performance for the Bruins at home, making 10 saves for UCLA as it won its Pac-12 opener by a 1-0 score line against Oregon. The redshirt freshman has started the last two games in goal for the Bruins.

D Jackie Simpson, South Florida – A bright start to the season carried over into conference play for USF, as they notched two 1-0 wins over the weekend against UConn and Temple. Along with playing 90 minutes in both shutouts, Simpson tallied the winning goal in the defeat of UConn.

D Jenna Dubs, Marshall – Thanks in part to Dubs’ 200 minutes on the pitch, the Thundering Herd went unbeaten in its conference openers, tying favorites North Texas 0-0 and topping Rice 1-0 on Sunday.

D Maddie Gaffney, Minnesota – Home cooking served the Gophers well as they continue a hunt for a Big Ten regular season title. Gaffney scored and served up an assist in a 3-1 victory against Purdue, and she followed that up with 90 minutes and another assist in a 3-1 defeat of Indiana on Sunday.

M Casie Ramsier, Auburn – The story for Auburn for so long this season had been its formidable defense. Last week, the Tigers showed their offensive panache as well. Behind Ramsier’s four-goal effort, Auburn grabbed a pair of 3-2 wins over LSU and Florida respectively, a big boost to the team’s SEC chances.

M Megan Connolly, Florida State – Facing a pair of top 10 opponents in ACC play, the freshman midfield maestro continued to dazzle, earning Player of the Week honors. Connolly scored from the penalty spot and had two assists in FSU’s 3-1 defeat of Clemson. She followed that up against Notre Dame, where she helped create the lone goal of the game as the Seminoles won 1-0 in South Bend. Connolly is tied for the team lead in goals with four, and has also notched a team-high seven assists through her first eight college games.

M Katie O'Neill, Charlotte – A massive performance for O’Neill helped Charlotte to its first win in Conference USA play, scoring twice and assisting on the game-winning goal in a 3-2 victory against UAB.

M Rachel Corboz, Georgetown – Corboz provided liftoff for the Hoyas in conference play, scoring two goals, including the game winner as Georgetown beat Providence 2-1 on the road.

F Leah Galton, Hofstra – The senior from England broke Hofstra’s career points record, scoring three times and helping the Pride go 2-0, securing wins over William & Mary and Elon.

F Taylor Pryce, Pittsburgh – Can Pitt keep it up? The Panthers are winners of eight in a row, including ACC wins last week against Wake Forest and Louisville. Pryce came through in the clutch in both games, scoring the decisive tally in each outing to provide the full points. A big test this Saturday looms, as the Panthers head south to test their mettle against Florida State.

F Raina Johnson, South Carolina – The Gamecocks’ perfect start to SEC play continued over the past week, securing wins at home against Texas A&M and Alabama. Johnson was in the middle of the action in both, as the speedy forward scored the winner against the Aggies, before adding the first goal six minutes into the 3-0 victory against Alabama.

Honorable Mention: D Amber Adams (Coastal Carolina), F Anna Maria Gilbertson (Notre Dame), D Jacie Jermier (Marquette), F Rachel Daly (St. John's), D Kirsten Crowley (Florida State), GK Lizzie Kish (Marshall), M Alexis Shaffer (Virginia), F Kyra Carusa (Stanford), D Kassidy Gorman (Northwestern)