ST. LOUIS - Illinois State junior Alyssa Schulz was named the Missouri Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week Monday, Oct. 5, as announced by the league office, marking her first honor of this kind in her career.
Schulz scored a personal career-high for goals in a game with two as the Illinois State women's soccer team opened up its MVC season with a 4-2 win over Indiana State Saturday, mark¬ing its third-straight win. Schulz's four points on the game doubled her season point total. Schulz now ranks second on the team in points with eight after netting three goals and two assists.
The Redbird (5-5-1, 1-0-0 MVC) offense scored three goals in just five minutes during the first half including two from Schulz. Schulz's first goal of the game came off a long pass from the middle from Natalie McCabe, 21 minutes into the game. Schulz scored her second goal just five minutes later from 10 yards out.
"I am thrilled for Alyssa to receive this honor," said head coach Drew Roff. "She has worked very hard over the last couple of years to improve as a player and it is starting to pay off for her. She is the type of player who has always shown flashes of what she is capable of doing. She is so fast and has great pace, and she gets herself in some great situations on the field. The next step of her to do is sealing the deal to put balls in the back of the net, and that is what she is starting to do. It is exciting to see. Both of her goals Saturday (Oct. 3) were from tough angles, but she still found ways to remain composed and push them by the goalkeeper. This is just a start for her."
Evansville's Kasey Kutzler was name MVC Defensive Player of the Week this week.
After a four-game road trip, the Redbirds will return home Wednesday for a mid-week game against SIU-Edwardsville at 4 p.m. The Redbirds continue conference play next Sunday (Oct. 11) hosting Valley co-leader Creighton at 1 p.m.
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