ST. LOUIS - Illinois State sophomore Jessica Carlson was named the Missouri Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week Monday, Oct. 12, as announced by the league office, marking her first honor of this kind in her career.
Carlson set an ISU record for most points in a game with seven to lead the Redbirds to a 5-1 victory over SIU-Edwardsville. Carlson had one assist and three goals, and the hat trick tied the ISU record for goals in a game. Carlson now has seven goals on the season with three assists for 17 total points, leading the Redbirds offense. Carlson is second in ISU history in points per game with 0.84 and ninth for career goals with 11.
Carlson ranks first in the Valley for overall points (17), points per game (1.31), goals (7), and goals per game (0.54).
"I think Jess has really picked up her play this season as a sophomore," said head coach Drew Roff. "She has been our most consistent threat. Scoring a hat trick is big, but for her to do it at this level, it really says something about her ability to finish. She also has the ability to connect with other players who can score as well. Many great players have come through this program. Jess setting the record says a lot about her as a player."
The Redbirds (7-5-1, 2-0-0 MVC) went 2-0 on the week, scoring seven goals in two games, including Carlson's hat trick. Carlson's first goal came off an assist by Alyssa Schulz, 16 minutes into the game. Four minutes later, Carlson added to her goal tally off another assist by Schulz. Carlson netted her hat trick with her seventh goal of the season 68 minutes in as she dribbled around the goalkeeper to find the back of the net.
Carlson's honor marks the third-straight MVC Player of the Week award for the Redbirds. Redbird senior Danielle Mutters was named MVC Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 28), while Schulz was named Offensive Player of the Week (Oct. 5).
"Soccer is a team game," said Roff. "However, we also talk about how individual players have to step up. Individual awards are well deserved, but the players know that team success is our main focus."
Missouri State's Jessica Teahan was named MVC Defensive Player of the Week this week.
The Redbirds will try to make it six wins in a row as they continue Valley play in a midweek game at Northern Iowa Wednesday (Oct. 14) at 7 p.m.
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