ST. LOUIS - Illinois State soccer senior Kyla Cross is the Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week, as announced by Commissioner Doug Elgin Wednesday morning. Now in its 15th year of existence, The Valley's Scholar-Athlete program honors its student-athletes for their athletic performance in a one-week period and academic success.
Through the season's first weekend, Cross is tied for the MVC-lead with two goals and five points. She scored both goals in Friday's 3-2 victory over defending Mid-American Conference champion Miami (Ohio), including the game-winner in the 70th minute. Then, on Sunday against Wisconsin, Cross assisted on the Redbirds' lone tally in the 4-1 loss, taking on two defenders before threading a perfect pass to MVC Offensive Player of the Week Hannah Leinert for the goal.
Cross, an exercise science major, has accumulated a 3.85 GPA over her first six semesters at ISU, including four perfect 4.0s. She was named to the Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-District V First Team in 2012, as well as the MVC Scholar-Athlete Team. The Clinton Township, Mich., native is the first Redbird soccer player to receive the award since 2009.
To qualify for Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week laurels, student-athletes must carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.20, completed at least one academic year at a Valley institution and must be at least a sophomore in academic standing.
Cross and the Redbirds continue their tough non-conference schedule with a pair of road matches against Big Ten teams this weekend. ISU takes on Minnesota, Friday, before traveling to Illinois, Sunday. Both games will begin at 7 p.m.
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