TicketsAug. 30, 2010
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Junior defender Kelli Pawelko (Lemont, Ill./Lemont) was named the BIG EAST Conference Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced today. This is her first BIG EAST Player of the Week honor.
"Kelli was a difference maker for us this week," said head coach Michelle Salmon. "I have said earlier that she is coming into her own, stepping up in key moments and being such a great leader for us in the back. This is a well deserved honor for KP and our team as a whole."
Pawelko earns BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week honors after helping Cincinnati post a pair of shutouts, including a 1-0 win at then-No. 20/16 Wisconsin on Aug. 29. Pawelko also scored the game-winner against the Badgers on a direct kick to notch her first career goal. Earlier in the week, the junior helped the Bearcats shut out Northwestern 0-0 in double overtime on Aug. 27.
Additionally, UC's goalkeeper, Rachel Barnette (Peachtree City, Ga./McIntosh), was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll after posting back-to-back shutouts and recording eight saves.
Currently the Bearcats are 3-0-1, marking the first time since the 1996 season that UC has started a season without a loss in the first four games.
UC will host the College of Charleston on Friday, Sept. 3 in a 7 p.m. match at Gettler Stadium.