INDIANAPOLIS -- Wright State freshman forward Ini Umotong (Birmingham, England) is the Horizon League Women’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week, while Youngstown State freshman goalkeeper Jackie Podolsky (Canfield, Ohio) has earned Defensive Player of the Week for the week of Sept. 24-30. The award is the first of both players’ careers.
Wright State (6-2-4, 1-0-1 Horizon) routed visiting IPFW, 5-0, on Monday before a 1-1 draw against Green Bay on Friday night. Youngstown State (6-4-0, 1-0-0 Horizon) snapped a four-match skid with a 3-1 win over Cedarville before collecting the program’s first-ever victory against Milwaukee, 2-1, on Saturday.
Umotong recorded her first career hat trick on Monday, leading the Raiders past IPFW. The freshman opened the scoring in the 22nd minute before notching the fourth and fifth goals of the night for Wright State. The hat trick was the third of the year in the Horizon League.
With 14 points, Umotong is tied for the Horizon League lead; her six goals pace the conference.
Making the first two starts of her career, Podolsky made six total saves, four coming in Youngstown State’s win over Milwaukee, including a key save on a Milwaukee penalty kick. Earlier in the week, Podolsky made two saves to help the Penguins break a four-match losing streak. YSU’s six wins this year have tied the program record.
Both Wright State and Youngstown State will hit the road for Saturday matches. YSU will travel to Green Bay, where the Penguins and Phoenix will begin their match at 2 p.m. ET. Wright State will meet Loyola at 8 p.m. ET.
Top Offensive Performers for the Week:
Vickie Havas, Cleveland State (Fr., F) - Tallied the Vikings’ lone goal in a 2-1 setback against Valparaiso, moving into a tie for the League lead with 14 points. Her five goals rank second.
Rachel Hoaglin, Valparaiso (Sr., MF) - Notched the game-winning goal in Valparaiso’s 2-1 win at Cleveland State.
Chelsey Haney, Youngstown State (So., F) - Haney had goals in both of YSU’s wins last week, including the first in the Penguins’ 2-1 victory against Milwaukee.
Top Defensive Performers for the Week:
Nora Abolins, Detroit (Jr., GK) - Recorded her fifth shutout of the year on Sunday, giving her 20 in 46 career starts in goal.
Women’s Soccer Offensive Players of the Week:
Aug. 13: Amy Kauffung, Milwaukee
Aug. 20: Kaitlyn Quarrell, Detroit
Jaime Avona, Cleveland State
Aug. 27: Rachel Morrison, Youngstown State
Sept. 3: Ana Claudia Michelini, Loyola
Sept. 10: Vickie Havas, Cleveland State
Sept. 17: Tricia Stonebraker, Loyola
Sept. 24: Ini Umotong, Wright State
Women’s Soccer Defensive Players of the Week:
Aug. 13: Jamie Forbes, Milwaukee
Aug. 20: Nora Abolins, Detroit
Aug. 27: Ali Viola, Youngstown State
Sept. 3: Kristen Manski, Valparaiso
Sept. 10: Monica Gonyo, Loyola
Sept. 17: Brooke McCurdy, Wright State
Sept. 24: Jackie Podolsky, Youngstown State
Tags: Horizon League - Women's Soccer · Wright State - Women's Soccer · Youngstown State - Women's Soccer
