Marshall University Athletics
Simmons Named C-USA Offensive Player of the Week
9/15/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
IRVING, Texas - Marshall junior forward Erin Simmons (Gahanna, Ohio) was named Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week for her performances against Cincinnati (Sept. 12) and Eastern Kentucky (Sept. 14), the league announced on Monday.
"I think it's awesome that we have a player who is finding herself again after an ACL injury over a year ago," Coach Kevin Long said. "While she played last year, she is much more comfortable on the field this season. She's carrying the load offensively and it's having a great impact on our team. She's doing a great job for us and I'm thrilled that she has earned this award. She's in some elite company with Erika Duncan."
The honor is the first of her career, and a first for the Thundering Herd since Erika Duncan - now the Marshall assistant coach - earned the title for the week of Oct. 25, 2010. Simmons is the third Marshall player all-time to earn the weekly award after Duncan (2008, 2010) and Molly Snead (2009).
Simmons netted a goal in both games for Marshall over the weekend, including the Herd's only goal to earn a tie with Cincinnati. The forward kept her nerve against the Bearcats as she stepped up to convert a first-half penalty, Cincinnati's first allowed goal in 247 minutes. In a 3-1 victory at Eastern Kentucky, Simmons converted in the 62nd minute to stretch her goal-scoring streak to three matches. Marshall is undefeated (2-0-1) this season when Simmons scores a goal. Her three-match streak of goals is the longest since Chelsey Maiden in 2012.
Simmons tops the team with 22 shots and 11 on-goal for a .500 percentage. She is tied for seventh in C-USA with 3.14 shots per match. Her three goals and nine points rank second on the Herd.
Marshall will conclude non-conference play against Miami (Ohio) on Friday at 4 p.m. in Oxford, Ohio.
---HerdZone.com---
