Captains step up when the games matter most, and the TDS Player of the Week certainly lived up to her billing. Sarah Bridenstine, a senior defender, helped the Wolverines earn a 1-1 draw against No. 3 Penn State, ending its nine-game win streak, then had two excellent set-piece assists in a 4-0 smashing of Maryland. Bridenstine played every minute through both games and was vital in key defensive and offensive moments.

Player of the Week: Sarah Bridenstine, Michigan

Team of the Week: September 25-October 1

GK Cassie Coster, Monmouth – With two more clean sheets this week thanks to three saves against Elon and nine versus Drexe, Coster earns her spot.

D Sarah Bridenstine, Michigan – The POTW played every minute available in a dominant week versus a Top-5 opponent and a conference rival.

D Macy Blackburn, Texas Tech – The defender did it all with two clean sheets and three goal contributions in outstanding conference performances versus Oklahoma and Cincinnati.

D Grace Coppinger, TCU – The sophomore standout was exceptional in two clean sheets versus Kansas State and Oklahoma State, missing only four minutes and keeping both teams to a combined two shots on target.

M Naya Marcil, Western Carolina – Marcil was at her best this week with two goals and three assists against UNC Greensboro and Wofford.

M Isabella Recinos, Massachusetts – The Florida native made easy work of A-10 opponents with two goals and two assists in games against Duquesne and Loyola-Chicago.

M Katie Krohn, Buffalo – The sophomore had a brace in both games versus Miami(OH) and Eastern Michigan to help Buffalo secure four points.

M Izabel Reyes, CSUN – In a heroic performance, Reyes pitched in a goal and two assists to ensure a 4-0 victory against Cal State Bakersfield, marking the team’s first win of 2023.

F Dara Russo, USC Upstate – A hattrick plus an assist against Winthrop is quite the way to earn a spot on the list.

F Eleanor Dale, Nebraska – As she has done all season, Dale recorded two more braces against Rutgers and Northwestern.

F Isabel Kimberly, USC – The versatile Junior had three goal contributions to ensure USC returned from an away trip to Washington State and Washington with two wins.

Honorable Mentions: GK Ashlee Zirkel (Baylor), D Elise Evans (Stanford), D Ella Simpson (Samford), D Sydney Bushman (Utah Valley), M Hollie Massey (Lamar), M Mya Jones (Memphis), M Hannah Johnson (Mississippi State), F Nia Christopher (Towson), F Abigail McNulty (Boston University), F Jordyn Rhodes (Kentucky), F Katie O’Kane (Utah), F Brittany Raphino (Brown), GK Ally Larkin (Nevada)

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