Women's Team of the Week: November 14

by TopDrawerSoccer

November 14, 2023

Get this. Xavier outshot Tennessee 41-11 in the first round of the NCAA tournament, yet when the final whistle blew after double overtime, the Volunteers moved on with a 1-0 victory. That bizarre result was down to the immense game Ally Zazzara had in goal, where she made 15 saves, some that were video game-worthy as the total more than doubled her previous career high of seven. Survive and advance is the target, and with the Sophomore playing this well, anything is possible for 13-seeded Tennessee.

Player of the Week: Ally Zazzara, Tennessee

Team of the Week: November 6-November 12

GK Ally Zazzara, Tennessee – The Georgia native faced 41 shots, 15 on target, and somehow kept a clean sheet.

D Makenna Morris, Clemson – Morris played 81 minutes and scored in a 2-0 first-round victory over Radford.

D Kiera Smeenge, UC Irvine – The Junior defender played all 90 minutes as the Anteaters shocked No. 1 seeded UCLA.

D Brianne Riley, Georgetown – When Georgetown desperately needed an equalizer, Riley stepped up with a headed goal as the Hoyas eventually defeated Old Dominion.

M Croix Bethune, Georgia – Bethune provided both assists in a 2-1 win over Liberty as she created many opportunities through the 90 minutes.

M Ran Iwai, Florida State – The senior midfielder contributed two assists in a 5-0 victory over Morehead State.

M Jasmine Aikey, Stanford – With a goal and an assist in a 3-0 victory over Pepperdine, Aikey ensured Stanford moved on to the next round.

M Landy Mertz, Pittsburgh – The Pennsylvania native was at the center of a 6-0 demolition of Ohio State as she pitched in one goal and three assists.

F Payton Linnehan, Penn State – Linnehan did all her work in the first half as she scored a 25-minute hat trick in a 7-0 defeat of Central Connecticut.

F Ava Tankersley, Arkansas – Two assists plus a goal from Tankersley led Arkansas past Grambling State.

F Isabella Najera, Michigan State – The Freshman took well to her first NCAA tournament game with two goals and an assist as the Spartans defeated Ohio 3-0.

Honorable Mention: GK Glo Hinojosa (UC Irvine), D Layla Shell (Brown), D Megan Day (Mississippi State), D Haylee Spray (Memphis), D Alyssa Bourgeois (Santa Clara), M Lily Render (South Carolina), M Coriana Dyke (Penn State), M Madison Ishaug (Wisconsin), M Sadie Waite (Nebraska), F Alyssa Moore (UC Irvine), F Charlie Codd (Notre Dame)