SDSU WOMEN'S SOCCER SWEEPS MOUNTAIN WEST PLAYER OF THE WEEK AWARDS

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Utush named offensive player of the week, Barba voted top defender

Source: goaztecs.com press release

Photo: Victoria Barba courtesy goaztecs.com

October 17, 2016 (Colorado Springs, Colo.) - San Diego State women’s soccer student-athletes Aliyah Utush and Victoria Barba were named the Mountain West Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively. It marks the second and third time this season that an Aztec has been recognized by the league.

Utush was voted the top offensive player for the week after posting one goal and two assists in victories over Boise State and Utah State. The junior started her week by assisting on the game-winner vs. the Broncos and then scoring SDSU’s second goal in its 2-0 triumph. On Sunday vs. the Aggies, Utush assisted on the game-winning goal that came in the 87th minute.

Barba, meanwhile, was named the top defender in the league for the period ending Sunday, Oct. 16. The senior played an integral role from her central midfield spot thwarting any offensive attacks with steals and sliding tackles. Her effort helped the Aztecs limit Boise State to eight shots and only two shots on goal, which ended in SDSU’s fifth shutout. Against Utah State, it was more of the same defensively (5 shots, 2 shots on goal) and she scored both of the Aztecs’ goals, including the game-winner in the 87th minute.

The duo’s performance helped the Aztecs make a giant leap in the conference standings as both Boise State and Utah State came into the week ahead of SDSU in the race for the MW regular-season title. San Diego State jumped from fourth place into second place and are in a position to capture its fifth straight championship.

Utush and Barba join Gabby English as the only Aztecs to earn Mountain West Player-of-the-Week accolades this season. English was recognized for her effort between the pipes back on Sept. 26.

The Aztecs hit the road this week when they face Colorado State on Friday afternoon (3 p.m. MT) and Wyoming on Sunday (1 p.m. MT). Both games will stream live on the Mountain West Network and GoAztecs.com.


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