Defensive Player of the Year?
Western Illinois goalkeeper Laura Atkinson has put herself in contention for Summit League Defensive Player of the Year by posting outstanding numbers this season. In just her sophomore year, Atkinson ranks ninth nationally and leads the league in save percentage (.889). The Oregon, Wis., native also leads the league and ranks 30th nationally in goals against average (0.64) and has posted five shutouts on the season, tied for the highest single-season mark in Leatherneck history.
Against Summit League opponents, Atkinson boasts a .909 save percentage and a 0.47 goals against average. She earned the league's Defensive Player of the Week award after recording two shutouts on the opening weekend of league action. Last season, Atkinson finished 23rd nationally in save percentage and was a Second Team All-Summit League selection and was named to the league's All-Newcomer Team.
If History Teaches Us...
The Leathernecks have enjoyed unprecedented success towards the end of the regular-season in recent years. Western Illinois won its final four regular-season matches during the 2008 and 2009 campaigns. Last season, Western began its season-high four match winning-streak with victories over Centenary and Oral Roberts during the closing weeks of the 2009 season.
Western Illinois is a combined 9-0 against the Ladies and the Golden Eagles since the start of the 2006 season. The Leathernecks have not lost to Centenary since 2004 and have lost just one match to Oral Roberts during that time. Both of Western's victories against the Golden Eagles and the Ladies came in overtime last season on goals by Abby Davis and Ali Smyth.
Senior Day
Sunday's match against Centenary could mark the final time that eight Leathernecks will don the Purple and Gold at home. This year's senior class includes captains Caitlin Barrett, Jenny Green and Ali Smyth as well as Kelly Diershow, Jill Kevorkian, Kendra Wilkening. Lauren DeWolf and Jessica Walsh are also part of the senior class, but both players redshirted last season and will have one year of athletic eligibility remaining
The 2010 senior class has helped Western Illinois to a 38-23-9 record during their four years at Western, including a program record 16 victories during the 2007 season. The Leathernecks finished 16-3-1, including a perfect 8-0-0 in league play, on their way to the 2007 Summit League Regular-Season Championship.
