Women's Team of the Week: August 23

by TopDrawerSoccer

August 23, 2022

There weren’t many signs of rust to be found as the 2021 college season opened. Such was the case for the electric Jameese Joseph. She was a constant threat for an NC State team that didn’t always seem to completely control its first two games. And it was her consistency — her attacking output — that led the Wolfpack to two wins to open the season.

She was handy in the first game, buzzing around for opportunities, and creating chances for herself. But Joseph made an impact when she found others, threading a ball into Leyah Hall-Robinson, who rounded the keeper for the Wolfpack’s second goal.

Joseph only improved in their second, stretching out a tight contest against VCU. She bagged the winning goal, burning past two defenders before tucking the ball into the bottom corner with less than 3 minutes to play. She earns the first Player of the Week award for the women’s fall 2022 campaign.

Player of the week: Jameese Joseph, NC State

Here are some other notable performances from week one.

GK Heather Hinz, South Carolina - The Gamecocks keeper spoiled the party in Florida State’s national championship defense, posting six saves in a 0-0 tie. She was equally imperious against ECU, finishing the week with two clean sheets.

D Emily Royson, Duke - Royson played a key role in a dominant week for the Blue Devils, playing 167 of 180 minutes as they kept two clean sheets.

D Emma Phillips, Northwestern - Phillips scored a remarkable game-winning bicycle kick to lift Northwestern over Kansas State in the season opener. She was also reliable in the Wildcats’ narrow loss to Kansas.

D Tori Hansen, North Carolina - Hansen was a mainstay in a UNC side that kept two clean sheets to open the season. She also grabbed the second of three goals against Tennessee.

D Sydney Michalak, Mississippi - Michalak scored one of the best goals of the opening week, weaving through four defenders before finishing wonderfully to put Ole Miss 3-0 up over Memphis. She also did her bit defensively, helping hold down a unit that posted two shutouts.

M Jessica Garziano, St. John's - Gariziano scored twice and added an assist in the Red Storm’s first week of competition. She was crucial in their comeback tie against NJIT, as she bagged a goal and also assisted Jaliene DeJesus for the equalizer.

M Shyra James, Colorado - James bagged three goals across the Buffs two games, extending her scoring streak to six matches in the process. Two came off neat headers off corners.

M Jadyn Edwards, New Mexico - Edwards opened the season emphatically, bagging a hat-trick for the Lobos in their 4-2 win over Cal State Bakersfield. She was also lively against Rutgers, but two close-range saves kept her off the scoresheet.

F McKenna Martinez, Oregon State - Martinez helped the Beavers recover from a disappointing season-opening tie by scoring twice against Wyoming. Her second — a driven shot into the bottom left corner from outside the box — was particularly impressive.

F Katie Soderstrom, Butler - Soderstrom scored twice in the opening weekend, including the winner against a tough Michigan side. She was a consistent threat all weekend, tallying nine shots across the two games.

Honorable mentions: F Faith Slimmer (College of Charleston), F Elizabeth Ivey Crain (William & Mary), GK Caeley Goldstein (UC Davis), M Lucy Cappadona (Connecticut), F Henley Tippins (Georgetown), GK Caroline DeLisle (UCF), M Anna Haddock (Auburn), F Allison Lowrey (Rutgers), F Emily Gaebe (Saint Louis)