TicketsCINCINNATI - The American Athletic Conference has announced its first weekly honors of the 2018 season with Brandi Thomsen, a true freshman on the University of Cincinnati women's soccer team, being named the AAC Rookie of the Week. Thomsen was honored after opening her scoring account with the Bearcats Thursday night to push the hosts to a 2-1 victory over visiting Eastern Kentucky.
Thomsen, the 2018 Gatorade Player of the Year from Wisconsin, joined her teammates in battling the elements as much of the opening match was played in a constant downpour. With the match tied at 1-1 after a 65' goal by Kiki Lowell, Thomsen played the role of heroine as she followed Jill Vetere's shot on goal that squirted off the keeper with Thomsen in the right place to poke the ball across the line and into the back of the net for a 2-1 lead in the 69'. Thomsen was able to make a big impact while playing just 13 minutes in the opening match before playing 67 Sunday at #8 Virginia.
// ROOKIE AWARD
The honor for Thomsen is the first of her career and just the third earned by a Bearcats player since joining the league in time for the 2013 season. It also marks the first time a UC player has been named to the rookie accolade since the 2016 season when Gabrielle LoPresti earned the award. Jordan Cotleur, who was recently named a conference nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award, was the first Bearcats player to earn the rookie award when she was selected for the honor in the 2015 season.
// ADDING TO THE HAUL
With her award, Thomsen is the 14th different UC player to garner one of the four major weekly awards from the American while also securing the 30th overall honor. All told, Bearcats players have been named defensive player of the week 16 times, offensive player of the week six times, goalkeeper of the week five times and rookie of the week three times. Last year, five different players earned nine total honors, the most of any season in the AAC, surpassing the eight won in 2016.
// NEXT MATCH
The Bearcats return home for a pair of matches with regional foes this week, starting Friday night at Gettler Stadium when Wright State comes calling in the second match of a men's-women's doubleheader. The men open their season at 6 p.m. against visiting Northern Illinois before the women face the Raiders with an approximate starting time of 8 p.m. Then, on Sunday, the third installment of the Riverboat Rivalry will be contested as the Norse of Northern Kentucky will cross the river for a 7 p.m. match at Gettler Stadium.
// FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
GoBearcats.com is your one-stop destination for all things UC Athletics. Socially, the team can also be followed on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with all using the handle GoBearcatsWSOC. Head Coach Neil Stafford (@UCGaffer) also can be followed on Twitter.
// EXPERIENCE UC
The University of Cincinnati department of athletics announced an initiative entitled Experience UC, geared toward inviting the community to campus to see firsthand the great things about and surrounding the university. Experience UC includes complimentary admission for patrons attending lacrosse, volleyball, women's tennis, men's and women's soccer, swimming & diving and track & field home events.
// 2018 AAC Weekly Awards
Rookie of the Week
Brandi Thomsen • Aug. 20
Thomsen, the 2018 Gatorade Player of the Year from Wisconsin, joined her teammates in battling the elements as much of the opening match was played in a constant downpour. With the match tied at 1-1 after a 65' goal by Kiki Lowell, Thomsen played the role of heroine as she followed Jill Vetere's shot on goal that squirted off the keeper with Thomsen in the right place to poke the ball across the line and into the back of the net for a 2-1 lead in the 69'. Thomsen was able to make a big impact while playing just 13 minutes in the opening match before playing 67 Sunday at #8 Virginia.
// ROOKIE AWARD
The honor for Thomsen is the first of her career and just the third earned by a Bearcats player since joining the league in time for the 2013 season. It also marks the first time a UC player has been named to the rookie accolade since the 2016 season when Gabrielle LoPresti earned the award. Jordan Cotleur, who was recently named a conference nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award, was the first Bearcats player to earn the rookie award when she was selected for the honor in the 2015 season.
// ADDING TO THE HAUL
With her award, Thomsen is the 14th different UC player to garner one of the four major weekly awards from the American while also securing the 30th overall honor. All told, Bearcats players have been named defensive player of the week 16 times, offensive player of the week six times, goalkeeper of the week five times and rookie of the week three times. Last year, five different players earned nine total honors, the most of any season in the AAC, surpassing the eight won in 2016.
// NEXT MATCH
The Bearcats return home for a pair of matches with regional foes this week, starting Friday night at Gettler Stadium when Wright State comes calling in the second match of a men's-women's doubleheader. The men open their season at 6 p.m. against visiting Northern Illinois before the women face the Raiders with an approximate starting time of 8 p.m. Then, on Sunday, the third installment of the Riverboat Rivalry will be contested as the Norse of Northern Kentucky will cross the river for a 7 p.m. match at Gettler Stadium.
// FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
GoBearcats.com is your one-stop destination for all things UC Athletics. Socially, the team can also be followed on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with all using the handle GoBearcatsWSOC. Head Coach Neil Stafford (@UCGaffer) also can be followed on Twitter.
// EXPERIENCE UC
The University of Cincinnati department of athletics announced an initiative entitled Experience UC, geared toward inviting the community to campus to see firsthand the great things about and surrounding the university. Experience UC includes complimentary admission for patrons attending lacrosse, volleyball, women's tennis, men's and women's soccer, swimming & diving and track & field home events.
// 2018 AAC Weekly Awards
Rookie of the Week
Brandi Thomsen • Aug. 20