OGDEN, Utah (September 8, 2015) -- The Big Sky Conference announced the offensive and defensive women’s soccer Players of the Week for the week ending September 6. Northern Arizona forward Hayley Wingender earned the Offensive Player of the Week honor while Montana goalkeeper, Kailey Norman picked up the Defensive Player of the Week honor.
Wingender, a senior from Henderson, Nev., picked up her first weekly honor of the season and her second career weekly honor after helping lead the Lumberjacks to a 2-0 record last weekend. The senior blasted three goals in two games with two goals in NAU’s 6-0 drubbing of Alabama State on September 4.
She scored the equalizer in the 87th minute on a solo slow roller that gave NAU the momentum to pull ahead of Oakland in the 89th minute. NAU finished with a 2-1 win over the Golden Grizzlies and improved to 2-3-0 on the season. Wingender is second in the Big Sky with four goals in five competitions. Wingender has secured the fifth all-time career goals place in NAU program history with 23 and is just four goals away from third. She also moves to fifth all-time in career points at 55.
Norman, a junior from Highland Ranch, Colo., led the Grizzlies to a split in weekend action including a shutout win over previously unbeaten Big Ten member, Iowa. Montana fell to Washington State in overtime on Friday on a penalty kick in the 100th minute of action. Norman pulled down four saves against the Cougars.
She had a stellar performance against Iowa on Sunday when she pulled down a career-best eight saves in 90 minutes of action. Sunday’s shutout was her second of the season and 12th of her career. This is Norman’s first Defensive Player of the Week honor of the season and third of her career. She was a two-time Defensive Player of the Week last season.
Montana (3-2-1) returns to action Friday, September 11 as they play host to Purdue in the Montana Cup. The Griz will also host Creighton on September 13.
Northern Arizona will look to continue their winning streak as they travel to Milwaukee, Wis., for the Marquette invitational. The Lumberjacks will face Marquette on Friday and Loyola Chicago on Sunday.
Others Nominated:
Offense: Stacey Bair - Weber State; Megan Myers - Portland State; Adaurie Dayak - Sacramento State; McKenzie Warren - Montana; Kristy Johnson - Southern Utah
Defense: Angela Haluska - Portland State; Sheridan Hapsic - Idaho State; Torey Braly- Northern Arizona; Shelby Green - Southern Utah