WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.—The Purdue women's soccer team earned three of the four Big Ten weekly awards following 1-0 victories against Nebraska and No. 19 Iowa in the first week of league play.
The conference office awarded Goalkeeper of the Week to Marisa Bova, while honoring center back Sydney Sparks as the Defensive Player as well as Freshman of the Week.
With the honors, Purdue became the conference leader with six weekly awards in 2019.
Coming off two Big Ten shutouts, Bova leads conference keepers with six on the year. Between Nebraska and No. 19 Iowa, the sophomore faced 18 shots and tallied four saves, including three against the Hawkeyes. With Bova minding the net, Purdue is one of just 13 Power Five programs to have at least six shutouts under its belt this season. License
Sparks played every minute in the wins and scored the game-winner against No. 19 Iowa on a header. On defense, the Carlsbad, California, native helped to hold the Hawkeyes to just 10 shots when they were averaging 17.2 shots per game. Moreover, Sparks and the Purdue defense limited Iowa to a .300 shots on goal %, when the team was averaging over .500.
Sparks' double-honor is just the third in Purdue history. The freshman joins the ranks of All-American Maddy Williams (2014) and Kylie Hase (2017), who both earned Big Ten offensive honors in addition to freshman of the week.
The efforts from Bova and Sparks led Purdue to its second-most shutouts in program history through its first nine games. Furthermore, it stands as the most since 2006.
The award marks Bova's second goalkeeper of the week honor this season and is the only conference keeper to repeat honors this year. Meanwhile, Sparks earned the defensive honor on Sept. 4.
Purdue in the 2019 Big Ten Weekly Honors:
8/27 Goalkeeper of the Week – Marisa Bova
9/4 Defensive Player of the Week – Sydney Sparks
Freshman of the Week – Leanna Rebimbas
9/24 Goalkeeper of the Week – Marisa Bova
Defensive Player of the Week – Sydney Sparks
Freshman of the Week – Sydney Sparks
The conference office awarded Goalkeeper of the Week to Marisa Bova, while honoring center back Sydney Sparks as the Defensive Player as well as Freshman of the Week.
With the honors, Purdue became the conference leader with six weekly awards in 2019.
Coming off two Big Ten shutouts, Bova leads conference keepers with six on the year. Between Nebraska and No. 19 Iowa, the sophomore faced 18 shots and tallied four saves, including three against the Hawkeyes. With Bova minding the net, Purdue is one of just 13 Power Five programs to have at least six shutouts under its belt this season. License
Sparks played every minute in the wins and scored the game-winner against No. 19 Iowa on a header. On defense, the Carlsbad, California, native helped to hold the Hawkeyes to just 10 shots when they were averaging 17.2 shots per game. Moreover, Sparks and the Purdue defense limited Iowa to a .300 shots on goal %, when the team was averaging over .500.
Sparks' double-honor is just the third in Purdue history. The freshman joins the ranks of All-American Maddy Williams (2014) and Kylie Hase (2017), who both earned Big Ten offensive honors in addition to freshman of the week.
The efforts from Bova and Sparks led Purdue to its second-most shutouts in program history through its first nine games. Furthermore, it stands as the most since 2006.
The award marks Bova's second goalkeeper of the week honor this season and is the only conference keeper to repeat honors this year. Meanwhile, Sparks earned the defensive honor on Sept. 4.
Purdue in the 2019 Big Ten Weekly Honors:
8/27 Goalkeeper of the Week – Marisa Bova
9/4 Defensive Player of the Week – Sydney Sparks
Freshman of the Week – Leanna Rebimbas
9/24 Goalkeeper of the Week – Marisa Bova
Defensive Player of the Week – Sydney Sparks
Freshman of the Week – Sydney Sparks