Amanda Kowalski earned BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week honors in the first round of awards for the 2021 season, as announced by the conference office on Monday, Feb. 15. The defender last earned BIG EAST weekly honors on Sept. 30, 2019.
Kowalski helped anchor the Bulldog defense that posted an 8-0 win at Indianapolis last week. Butler's back line allowed just two shots on target and out-shot the Greyhounds, 24-5. The redshirt senior also pitched in on the offensive side of the ball, tallying a three-point game with a goal and an assist in the contest.
Kowalski also saw time in Butler's 3-0 exhibition win against Ball State and recorded one shot in the match, while limiting the Cardinals to just five shots.
Bulldog goalkeeper
Stephanie Rodriguez and forward
Gretchen Skoglund were named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll for their efforts on the pitch.
BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week
Kylie Sprecher, Marquette, Sr., M/F
Sprecher scored on half of her four shots on the week and added an assist. She posted a goal in the 5-0 win over Chicago State in MU's season opener on Feb. 5, before adding a goal and assist in a 3-2 win over Illinois State on Feb. 7. Her goal against the Redbirds was the first of the match in the 45
th minute, while her assist came on Elaina Eckert's game-winning goal in the 75
th minute.
BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week
Amanda Kowalski, Butler, R-Sr., D
Kowalski anchored the Butler defense in an 8-0 road win over Indianapolis on Feb. 9, allowing just two Greyhound shots to land on target while outshooting Indy by a 24-5 margin. Kowalski contributed on the other side of the pitch as well, adding a goal and assist to solidify the win. Butler finished with a 7-0 advantage in corner kicks and 13-2 lead of shots on goal.
BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week
Emma Bodmer, Providence, Fr., GK
In her collegiate debut, Bodmer recorded her first career shutout, making three saves as Providence blanked instate rival Rhode Island on Feb. 14.
BIG EAST Freshman of the Week
Elsi Twombly, Marquette, Fr., F
Twombly posted a pair of goals in the first two matches of her collegiate career on Feb. 5-7 against Chicago State and Illinois State. Her first score came in the 90
th minute against Chicago State in her career debut and she notched MU's second goal in a 3-2 win over Illinois State on Feb. 7.
BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll
Stephanie Rodriguez, Butler, R-Jr., GK – earned a shutout win with two saves in 8-0 clean sheet against Indianapolis (Feb. 9)
Gretchen Skoglund, Butler, So., F – five points off two goals and an assist in 8-0 win over Indianapolis (Feb. 9)
Christina Rodgers, Providence, Sr., M – led a defense which allowed just four total shots in a 2-0 shutout win over Rhode Island (Feb. 14)
Amber Birchwell, Providence, Sr., M/F – game-winning goal in the 63
rd minute of the 2-0 victory over Rhode Island (Feb. 14)
Meg Hughes, Providence, Fr., F – scored an insurance goal in her collegiate debut, a 2-0 win over Rhode Island (Feb. 14)
