MAC Field Hockey Offensive Player of the Week
Sierra Jefferson, Ball State
Forward, Junior, Bethlehem, Pa. (Freedom)
Jefferson created countless attacking opportunities for the Cardinals this past weekend against Longwood and Virginia Commonwealth. She helped set up the corners that helped Ball State earn the 2-1 OT Mid-American Conference win Friday against Longwood. On Sunday, Jefferson provided the attacking spark for BSU's almost come-back at VCU, especially in the final quarter with her sustained attack for Ball State.
MAC Field Hockey Defensive Player of the Week
Isabelle Perese, Miami
Goalkeeper, Freshman, Worthington, Ohio (Thomas Worthington)
Freshman goalkeeper Isabelle Perese was crucial in Miami's two shootout wins last weekend, stopping seven of the 11 attempts she faced during the shootouts. Perese played every minute in the cage in both games, registering nine saves and posting a 0.75 GAA on the weekend. In Friday's conference win at Ohio, Perese tallied six saves, including two diving saves in the first half to keep the game scoreless and another on an Ohio penalty corner with two minutes to play to force overtime. In Sunday's win against UC Davis, Perese made three saves including two in double overtime to force a shootout. In each win, Perese stopped the final shooter to clinch the victory as Miami shot first.
Other Nominees
Maria Cambra Soler, Kent State
Back, Freshman, Barcelona, Spain
Freshman Maria Cambra Soler helped Kent State stay undefeated in conference play and clinch the MAC Regular Season Championship with a 3-0 shutout win over App State. Soler notched her first multi-goal game by scoring two goals within 10-minutes of each other. Soler now has three goals on the season on 29 total shots and 11 on target.
Marie Gorner, Miami University
Midfielder, Senior, Seddin, Germany (Wolkenberg-Gymnasium)
Senior midfielder Marie Görner was perfect in her three shootout attempts this weekend as Miami beat both Ohio and UC Davis in shootouts. Görner was successful on both attempts on Sunday against UC Davis as she scored to give Miami the lead in the first five rounds before ensuring the win with a goal in the sixth round. Against Ohio, she put Miami on the board as the first shooter to convert during the shootout. Görner led the Miami offense that outshot its opponents 37-16 on the weekend and earned 20 penalty corners.
Karly Harwood, Longwood
Forward, Junior, Gloucester, Va. (Gloucester)
Lancer forward Karly Harwood continued her eye-opening season this week with two goals in two games. She broke the ice against Saint Louis with the game-winning goal in a 2-0 Longwood win on Tuesday, and recorded the game tying goal against MAC foe Ball State on Friday in a tight 2-1 overtime loss. Overall, her nine goals this season are second best in the MAC as she continues to extend her new career high.
Jillian Shive, Ohio
Midfield, Junior, Lebanon, Ohio (Ursuline Academy)
Shive scored Ohio's first goal against Miami since 2013 in the Bobcats' tough loss to the RedHawks in a penalty shootout. Jillian tallied six shots for the weekend, putting five on net. Shive's goal was her fifth of the season, putting her in a tie for second-place on the team in goals.
Azure Fernsler, Kent State
Goalkeeper, Junior, Sinking Spring, Pa.
Junior goalkeeper Azure Fernsler secured her fourth shutout victory helping Kent State claim the MAC Regular Season Championship with a 3-0 victory over App State. With the win, the Flashes remain undefeated in conference play with a 5-0 record. Fernsler recorded six saves in the game, bringing her season total to 66.
Rachel Pereira, Ball State
B/MF, Redshirt Junior, Howick, South Africa (St. Anne’s Diocean College)
Pereira leads the Cardinals in defensive saves this season with three. Throughout the year she has controlled the backfield for the Cardinals and this weekend was no different helping Ball State to a 2-1 OT victory in MAC action Friday at Longwood and then almost a comeback win at Virginia Commonwealth on Sunday. Pereira’s weekend was highlighted by scoring the game-winner Friday at Longwood. Pereira found the net at the 60:48 mark in overtime off of a penalty corner. The goal marked Pereira’s third of the season and seventh for her career. With Pereira’s defensive help in the backfield, the Cardinals managed to hold Longwood scoreless for the entire 30 minutes of the first half. She also assisted another corner Friday to help beat the Lancers.
Leah Warren, Ohio
Defender, Junior, Hamilton, New Zealand (St. Peter's School, Cambridge)
Warren made two miraculous defensive saves against UC Davis on Saturday, Oct. 28 as the Bobcats failed to mount the comeback against the Aggies. After she was able to get her stick on a shot destined for the back of the net, Leah laid her body and stick down on the ground to keep another ball out of the cage on a penalty corner opportunity.
