Earlier in the day, Stahlke earned Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors. It was the first time WKU has had three selections in a single season or that multiple players have claimed the award in the same season. Senior Amanda Buechel (Cincinnati, Ohio) won the honor on two occasions earlier this season. The selection marked the league leading 15th Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week honor for WKU student-athletes this fall.
The CS360 Primetime Performers Weekly Honor Roll is based on criteria such as performing at a high level in a game that is key to the team's postseason qualification (or conference title), typically in a game involving a top-50 team from the CS360 Composite National Rankings (or in a game involving a conference favorite/leader from a league not represented in the CS360 top-50). Preferance is given based on the quality of the opponent, contribution to team success and other situational factors involved in the player's accomplishments. Additional criteria may include that the player exhibited strong leadership and/or involved in clutch performances, such as gamewinning goals, noteworthy comebacks, late scores, momentum-shifting play, all-around performance, team spirit, etc; Overcame adversity or extreme circumstances (for the team and/or individual); Bonus consideration is given for key performances away from team's home field and/or against a traditional rival.
Stahlke contributed on both ends of the field for the Lady Toppers in Sunday's 2-0 win over North Texas. WKU took a 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute when Stahlke launched a free kick from around 35 yards out over the outstretched arm of North Texas keeper Jackie Kerestine. It was the second straight game that the Naperville native and WKU defender had found the back of the goal off a set piece. It was her third goal of the season and fifth in her WKU career.
Stahlke's presence on the WKU backline has been a key reason that WKU has fielded one of the top defenses in the Sun Belt Conference. WKU has allowed just four goals in conference play this season. WKU is the only team in the Sun Belt Conference to shutout the Mean Green this season and only the third overall this season. WKU also shutout the Mean Green in last year's conference tournament semifinal game, winning in penalty kicks. It marked the league leading eighth shutout of the season for the Lady Toppers, who posted their 20th shutout in the last two years. WKU holds a 0.42 GAA mark in conference play and 0.86 for the season.
The Lady Toppers will close out the regular season on Friday, Oct. 26 at Middle Tennessee before heading to Mobile, Ala. for the 2012 Sun Belt Conference Tournament, hosted by South Alabama. Opening round games are set for Oct. 31.
Complete details on the honor can be found at: http://bit.ly/RiUVxP
For complete coverage of WKU Soccer, visit the official website of WKU Athletics at www.wkusports.com.
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