It is the first such career honor for Stahlke and the third of the season for the Lady Toppers. It is 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.
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 selection marked the league leading 15th Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week honor for WKU student-athletes this fall.
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.
For complete coverage of WKU Soccer, visit the official website of WKU Athletics at www.wkusports.com.
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