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Graf Awarded Second CUSA Defensive Player of the Week This Season
11/5/2024 1:04:00 PM | Women's Soccer
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Liberty defender Elise Graf was honored with her second Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week award following a shutout 4-0 win over Kennesaw State on Friday, the conference announced Tuesday.
Graf helped restrict the Owls' scoring chances, allowing just three total shots and just one on goal. The junior recorded her first career goal on Friday, depositing a penalty shot into the lower corner of the goal to put Liberty up 4-0.
The recognition is the third of Graf's career. She was previously recognized on Oct. 22 and on Sept. 12, 2023. The defender trails just goalkeeper Ainsley Leja with four awards, for most times receiving the honor on the team.
The Lady Flames receive their ninth CUSA Player of the Week honor, ranking second in the conference. Liberty's five CUSA Defensive Player of the Week honors lead the conference.
Graf has started every game for Liberty this season and has played at least 70 minutes in 12 contests. The junior serves a majority of Liberty's corner attempts and often plays between the back line and the midfield, often marking the opponent's top scoring threat.
Liberty's defense leads the conference with a 0.63 goals-against average, 12 goals allowed and ten shutouts.
Friday's triumph against Kennesaw State secured Liberty a share of the 2024 CUSA Regular Season Championship with a 14-1-4 mark and a 6-1-2 record in CUSA play. The Lady Flames secured the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye in the CUSA Women's Soccer Championship beginning on Wednesday in Miami, Fla.
The Lady Flames are scheduled to play the winner of Wednesday's contest between No. 3 seed New Mexico State and No. 6 seed Jacksonville State. Liberty is set to play in the semifinal round on Friday at 4 p.m. All CUSA Women's Soccer Championship games will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Graf helped restrict the Owls' scoring chances, allowing just three total shots and just one on goal. The junior recorded her first career goal on Friday, depositing a penalty shot into the lower corner of the goal to put Liberty up 4-0.
The recognition is the third of Graf's career. She was previously recognized on Oct. 22 and on Sept. 12, 2023. The defender trails just goalkeeper Ainsley Leja with four awards, for most times receiving the honor on the team.
The Lady Flames receive their ninth CUSA Player of the Week honor, ranking second in the conference. Liberty's five CUSA Defensive Player of the Week honors lead the conference.
Graf has started every game for Liberty this season and has played at least 70 minutes in 12 contests. The junior serves a majority of Liberty's corner attempts and often plays between the back line and the midfield, often marking the opponent's top scoring threat.
Liberty's defense leads the conference with a 0.63 goals-against average, 12 goals allowed and ten shutouts.
Friday's triumph against Kennesaw State secured Liberty a share of the 2024 CUSA Regular Season Championship with a 14-1-4 mark and a 6-1-2 record in CUSA play. The Lady Flames secured the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye in the CUSA Women's Soccer Championship beginning on Wednesday in Miami, Fla.
The Lady Flames are scheduled to play the winner of Wednesday's contest between No. 3 seed New Mexico State and No. 6 seed Jacksonville State. Liberty is set to play in the semifinal round on Friday at 4 p.m. All CUSA Women's Soccer Championship games will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Players Mentioned
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