ST. LOUIS - After a stellar weekend on the pitch, the awards and accolades are piling up for Illinois State soccer. Rachel Tejada has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week while Gabbi McArtor has been named MVC Defensive Player of the Week. The pair were instrumental in ISU's two victories this week over Southeast Missouri State and Baylor.
Tejada is on the brink of history after a breakout weekend. She had been relatively quiet with just one goal going into Friday. However, she netted two goals Friday against SEMO, which propelled ISU to a 3-0 victory. She then played the role of the hero Sunday against a solid Baylor team. Down 1-0 in the first half, Tejada finished a difficult goal from below the six yard box to tie the game. Then in overtime she received a beautiful cross in the box and headed it home for the game-winner. The goal was the 59th of her career, tying her for the program record. She now leads the team in goals (5), assists (5) and points (15).
"Rachel really stepped up her intensity this weekend," said head coach Drew Roff. "She created two great goals against SEMO with her defensive pressure and the goals against Baylor were both fantastic. That's the sharpest Rachel has looked so far and she really set the tone for us."
McArtor has become a model of consistency and this weekend she helped ISU to its second shutout of the season Friday. She then led the defense against a 5-2 Baylor team and held them at bay, allowing just one goal. McArtor controlled the left side of the defense for ISU, which allowed just four shots Friday against SEMO. In that match she also contributed on the offensive end, crossing a ball into the box that would eventually end up as the Redbirds' game-winning goal. McArtor played a full 90 minutes Sunday in ISU's overtime victory and allowed Baylor to get off only five shots on goal.
"Gabbi is the heart and soul of this team," said Roff. "Often she's on an island defending the other team's best player, but we also expect her to give us offense attacking up the flank. She plays the left back position exactly the way we want. She's experienced, she's tough and she's smart."
It's the second time this season that the Redbirds have had two players of the week. After the opening weekend Hannah Leinert and Abby Van Deventer were given the honors.
ISU is in action twice this weekend, including one home match. Friday the Redbirds host Western Michigan at Adelaide Street Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday ISU will travel to Oxford, Ohio to face Miami (OH).
GoRedbirds.com:Â Your online source for Illinois State Athletics, tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
