NORMAL, Ill. – Rachel Tejada has been named to the College Soccer 360 Primetime Performers Honor Roll for her performance last weekend. The award comes on the heels of Tejada being named the Missouri Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week yesterday.
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."
Tejada needs one goal to break the program's all-time mark and she needs four assists to become just the 45th Division I member of the 40-40 goals/assists club.
"That's what Rachel does," said Roff. "She scores big goals. If she plays at that level for the rest of the season then we're a very dangerous team."
Selection for the CS360 weekly awards is based on any/all of the following "primetime" criteria (i.e. not solely based on raw stats):
• Performed at a high level in a game that is key to the team's postseason achievements, typically in a game involving a top-50 team from the CS360 Composite National Rankings (or in a game involving a conference favorite/leader from a league not represented in the CS360 top-50).
• In general, preference is given based on the quality of the opponent, contribution to team success and other situational factors involved in the player's accomplishments.
• Exhibited strong leadership and/or involved in clutch performances, such as gamewinning goals, noteworthy comebacks, late scores, momentum-shifting play, all-around performance/consistency, filling role/gameplan, team spirit, etc.
• Overcame adversity or extreme circumstances (for the team and/or individual).
• Bonus consideration is given for key performances away from team's home field and/or against a traditional rival.
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