Oct. 31, 2005
NORMAL, Ill. -
Returning from a six-game hiatus to anchor an Illinois State defense which allowed just 16 shots in two games last week, sophomore defender Shannon Durocher has been named the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference defensive soccer player of the week. She is the first Redbird to receive this honor in the 2005 season.
Durocher, who was forced to sit out after suffering a concussion earlier this season, helped to anchor a defense for the Redbirds that held Indiana State to just eight shots, and only three in the second period, in the quarterfinals of the 2005 State Farm MVC Women's Soccer Championship. Her stingy defensive play helped launch the `Birds to a win over the Sycamores, sending the team to the tournament semifinals in Omaha, Neb., on Friday.
Additionally, in Illinois State's non-conference win at Eastern Illinois, Durocher's backfield play held the Panthers to just eight shots.
Illinois State head coach Pete Kowall was pleased that Durocher was recognized for her efforts.
"Its nice for Shannon to get this recognition," said Kowall. "All of our defenders played well this weekend and I think any of them could have come away with this honor. But for Shannon to come back with such a presence really says something about her as a defender."
Durocher's offensive counterpart this week was Heidi Grey of Evansville. This honor marks the second time in the 2005 season that an Illinois State player has been recognized as a Valley player of the week. Sophomore Yvonne Northover was recognized on October 17 as the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference offensive player of the week.
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