Ashland University women's soccer center back Sydney Wright was named the GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week the league office announced on Monday (Oct. 14) afternoon.
It is the third straight week the Eagles have won the award with junior keeper Hannah Lee winning it the last two weeks. Wright earned the honor for the second time in her career, also winning on Sept. 24, 2018.
She led a pair of dominant performances by the AU back line against two quality GLIAC sides, Northwood and Ferris State. Against the Timberwolves on Friday, the Eagles posted their third straight clean sheet and permitted Northwood to take just five shots.
On Sunday, Wright's header off a corner kick in the 37th minute became the game-winning goal in a 2-1 win over Ferris State as the Bulldogs scored with just 1:20 to play. It was the first goal allowed by the Eagles in 367 minutes.
Otherwise, the Eagles played their possession style out of the back with Wright and sophomore Tori Baker serving as the anchors. Ashland did not allow the Bulldogs any shots in the first half of the game as the Eagles opened up a 2-0 lead.
The Eagles (9-1-1, 4-0 GLIAC) are alone atop the GLIAC standings and are ranked No. 25 in the latest United Soccer Coaches national poll.
The Eagles will return to the field on Saturday (Oct. 18) at 3 p.m. against Saginaw Valley in a non-league contest at Ferguson Field.
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