Whitney Berry (Kansas), Victoria Esson (Texas Tech) and Kaysie Clark (Missouri) have garnered Big 12 Soccer Player of the Week accolades for games played from Sept. 26-Oct. 2. Berry earns the Offensive Player of the Week award, while Esson is the league’s top defensive player for a third straight week and Clark takes home the newcomer honor.
It is the first time for Berry and Clark to be recognized, while Esson garners her fourth Big 12 honor. Esson becomes the first player in Big 12 history to be awarded the defensive honor four times in one seasonn and the first to win the award in three consecutive weeks since Kansas’ Colleen Quinn accomplished the feat in 2008.
Offensive Player of the Week
Whitney Berry, Kansas, MF, Jr., Wichita, Kan.
By assisting on all three of Kansas' goals, Berry helped lead the Jayhawks to just their third all-time win over Texas, 3-2 in double-overtime, on Friday. Berry has 11 assists on the season, which is the top mark in the nation. At KU, the junior is just one assist shy of tying the program's single-season assist record.
Defensive Player of the Week
Victoria Esson, Texas Tech, GK, So., Christchurch, New Zealand
With two more shutouts last week, Esson turned in her third straight week with a pair of shutouts. She made a total of six saves to help Texas Tech shutout Baylor, 0-0 in double-overtime, and Oklahoma, 2-0. It was her sixth and seventh games with a clean slate this season. Texas Tech has not given up a goal in its last seven matches and has 10 shutouts on the year to tie a program record.
Newcomer of the Week
Kaysie Clark, Missouri, F, Fr., Liberty, Mo.
In Missouri's two Big 12 games over the weekend, Clark posted three points including her first career goal. The score came in the 64th minute as the Tigers knocked off No. 24 Texas A&M, 1-0 on Friday. Two days later Clark asissted on MU's only goal as the Tigers fell to Texas, 2-1.
2011 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week
Aug. 23 - Allie Bailey, Texas A&M, Fr.
Aug. 30 - Kylie Doniak, Texas, Sr.
Sept. 6 - Caitlin Mooney, Oklahoma, Jr./Krista Lopez, Oklahoma State, Sr.
Sept. 13 - Annie Kunz, Texas A&M, Fr.
Sept. 20 - Chelsea Jones, Texas A&M, Jr.
Sept. 27 - Jessica Fuston, Texas Tech, So.
Oct. 4 - Whitney Berry, Kansas, Jr.
2011 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week
Aug. 23 - Victoria Esson, Texas Tech, So.
Aug. 30 - Maddie Jobe, Iowa State, So.
Sept. 6 - Alexa Gaul, Texas, Jr.
Sept. 13 - McKenzie Sauerwein, Missouri, Fr.
Sept. 20 - Victoria Esson, Texas Tech, So.
Sept. 27 - Victoria Esson, Texas Tech, So.
Oct. 4 - Victoria Esson, Texas Tech, So.
2011 Big 12 Newcomer of the Week
Aug. 23 - Jamie Fletcher, Kansas, Fr.
Aug. 30 - Ingrid Vidal, Kansas, Fr.
Sept. 6 - Indrid Vidal, Kansas, Fr.
Sept. 13 - Shea Groom, Texas A&M, Fr.
Sept. 20 - Annie Kunz, Texas A&M, Fr.
Sept. 27 - Kelley Monogue, Texas A&M, Fr.
Oct. 4 - Kaysie Clark, Missouri, Fr.