Oct. 27, 2009
COLUMBIA, Mo. - After a weekend in which the University of Missouri women's soccer team clinched the Big 12 regular season title and outscored its opponents 8-2, the Tigers swept the Big 12 weekly awards, the conference announced Tuesday. Senior Kristin Andrighetto was awarded the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week, senior Tasha Dittamore was awarded the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week, and freshman Kellie Gavigan was named Big 12 Newcomer of the Week.
Andrighetto was given the award for the second time in her career, after scoring three goals and adding an assist in the Tigers' victories over Iowa State and Nebraska this past weekend. The senior striker leads the team in points (20) and goals (eight), both of which rank fifth in the Big 12. Her goals this past weekend helped move her into second place all-time for career goals at Missouri with 35.
Dittamore was given the defensive award for the third time this season, after giving up just one goal and notching her program-best 17th shutout in the team's 5-0 victory over Nebraska on Sunday. The senior goalkeeper stopped seven shots over the weekend, while helping to stifle a Nebraska offense that is one of the best in the country. Her 73 saves on the season rank third in the Big 12.
The Big 12 Newcomer of the Week award is the first of any kind for Gavigan, who played every minute in the Tiger's games this past weekend. She helped anchor the Tiger backline and silence Nebraska's Morgan Marlborough, the nation's leading scorer. The Tiger defense currently ranks second in the Big 12 in shutouts and third in fewest goals allowed.
The Tigers round out the regular season on Friday, Oct. 30, with a match at Kansas at 3 p.m.
