Illinois State junior forward Michelle Brumbaugh was named Missouri Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week Tuesday, the first time she has received such an honor.
Michelle started out slow in the game on Friday but she really kicked it in at the end, Redbird head coach Pete Kowall said. Last year she went from playing midfield to playing forward and ended up being able to play either. We hope she can do that for us again this year, either in a starting role or coming off the bench.
The Quincy, Ill., native led Illinois State to its first win of the season, coming off the bench to score two goals in a 2-0 decision over University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. The game was scoreless until Brumbaugh knocked in a shot from 15 yards out in the 79th minute of play. She added another goal in the 86th minute on a pass from freshman Crystal Lanski.
Brumbaugh has a good track record against the Phoenix of Green Bay. The Redbirds have faced them every year of her career and every year she has scored on them.
I never really expected to be honored but its nice to be recognized, Brumbaugh said. We arent playing our best yet but well get there.
Brumbaughs two goals in the second half of the season opener match the number of goals that she scored in each of her first two seasons with the Birds. She currently leads the league in total points, points per game, goals and goals per game. Brumbaugh also recorded three shots, including one shot on goal, in yesterdays 1-0 win over Eastern Illinois.
Last year, Brumbaugh played in every game for the Redbirds and led the team in assists with three. In her collegiate career, she has accumulated six goals, five assist and 17 points.
Next up for Brumbaugh and the Birds, who are 2-0, is a trip north to take on University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Sunday, September 7 at 10 a.m.
