Flames Receive Three Conference USA Player of the Week Honors
9/5/2023 1:05:00 PM | Women's Soccer
LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Liberty Women's soccer team made a clean sweep of Conference USA Offensive Player, Defensive Player and Goalkeeper of the Week awards. Forward Allison Hansford (Offensive), midfielder Saydie Holland (Defensive) and goalkeeper Ainsley Leja were recognized on Tuesday for their contributions to the Lady Flames victories last week, the conference announced.
Leja received her third straight CUSA Goalkeeper of the Week award. No other CUSA player has more than one. Hansford and Holland become the third and fourth Lady Flames this season to receive the honor (Rebekah Earnest, Aug. 29).
Liberty secured a 2-1 road triumph at Longwood Thursday, before besting reigning Big 12 champion, West Virginia, 3-1 Sunday afternoon, the program's first win over a Big 12 program. The Lady Flames extended their Division I leading unbeaten streak to 19 games (16-0-3) and improved to a program-best 6-0 mark in 2023.
Hansford recorded a goal and an assist last week, including the third goal of the game to seal the West Virginia contest on Sunday. The forward also assisted on the game-winning goal at Longwood. The sophomore from Athens, Tenn. currently owns a three-game point streak (three goals, two assists) after netting back-to-back goals in a 3-0 road triumph at UNCW on Aug. 27.
Holland contributed to a Liberty defense that allowed just seven shots (two on goal) to the reigning Big 12 champions. The Waverly, Tenn. native scored the game-winning goal in the victory over the Mountaineers on a header that banged off the left post. The transfer from Ole Miss in her second year at Liberty, has scored two goals and assisted on another this season.
Holland entered the year as a United Soccer Coaches Player to Watch and received a spot on the 2023 CUSA Preseason Team.
Leja allowed two goals last week and made two saves, the keeper was instrumental in the Liberty defense restricting opportunities in the attacking zone. The keeper from Rochford, Mich. has played every minute of the 2023 campaign, collecting a 0.50 GAA and a .786 save percentage. Leja leads CUSA in GAA, save percentage and shutouts this season.
The junior was selected on the 2023 CUSA Preseason team. Leja also received mention as a United Soccer Coaches Player to Watch for Goalkeepers before the season opened.
Liberty takes to the road this week for matches at Queens (1-3-1) Thursday and Marshall (4-0-1) Sunday. Match times are set for 6 p.m.
Leja received her third straight CUSA Goalkeeper of the Week award. No other CUSA player has more than one. Hansford and Holland become the third and fourth Lady Flames this season to receive the honor (Rebekah Earnest, Aug. 29).
Liberty secured a 2-1 road triumph at Longwood Thursday, before besting reigning Big 12 champion, West Virginia, 3-1 Sunday afternoon, the program's first win over a Big 12 program. The Lady Flames extended their Division I leading unbeaten streak to 19 games (16-0-3) and improved to a program-best 6-0 mark in 2023.
Hansford recorded a goal and an assist last week, including the third goal of the game to seal the West Virginia contest on Sunday. The forward also assisted on the game-winning goal at Longwood. The sophomore from Athens, Tenn. currently owns a three-game point streak (three goals, two assists) after netting back-to-back goals in a 3-0 road triumph at UNCW on Aug. 27.
Holland contributed to a Liberty defense that allowed just seven shots (two on goal) to the reigning Big 12 champions. The Waverly, Tenn. native scored the game-winning goal in the victory over the Mountaineers on a header that banged off the left post. The transfer from Ole Miss in her second year at Liberty, has scored two goals and assisted on another this season.
Holland entered the year as a United Soccer Coaches Player to Watch and received a spot on the 2023 CUSA Preseason Team.
Leja allowed two goals last week and made two saves, the keeper was instrumental in the Liberty defense restricting opportunities in the attacking zone. The keeper from Rochford, Mich. has played every minute of the 2023 campaign, collecting a 0.50 GAA and a .786 save percentage. Leja leads CUSA in GAA, save percentage and shutouts this season.
The junior was selected on the 2023 CUSA Preseason team. Leja also received mention as a United Soccer Coaches Player to Watch for Goalkeepers before the season opened.
Liberty takes to the road this week for matches at Queens (1-3-1) Thursday and Marshall (4-0-1) Sunday. Match times are set for 6 p.m.
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