Two freshmen and a sophomore are the latest winners of the Big 12 soccer weekly awards. Sophomore Lauren Watson (Texas Tech) and freshmen Kela Gray (TCU) and Michaela Abam (West Virginia) have been recognized after their performances last week. Watson is honored for the second consecutive week, while Gray and Abam earn their first career accolades.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Kela Gray, TCU, Fr., F, Chicago, Ill./Mother McAuley Liberal Arts
Gray has scored a goal in three consecutive outings after posting two game-winners last week in the Horned Frogs victories over SMU and at North Texas. The freshman forward started both matches and took a combined five shots, playing 44 minutes against the Mustangs and 48 minutes at UNT. She is tied for the team lead in goals (4) and ranks third in points (8) with 13 shots on the year.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Lauren Watson, Texas Tech, So., GK, The Woodlands, Texas/The Woodlands
Watson recorded her fifth shutout of the season in Texas Tech’s win over Memphis on Sunday afternoon. The sophomore goalie had a career-best eight saves versus the Tigers and surrendered just one goal in two outings despite facing 29 shots from Memphis and Tulsa. Her shutout against UM came with five starters out of action, including three regulars on the back line. Watson’s leads the Big 12 and ranks 12th nationally in goals against average (0.42), with her five shutouts tied for sixth in the Texas Tech single-season record book.

NEWCOMER OF THE WEEK
Michaela Abam, West Virginia, Fr., M/D, Houston, Texas/Harmony Science Academy
Abam earned her first career starts over the weekend as the Mountaineers defeated La Salle and Villanova. The freshman scored the game-winner versus the Wildcats, her second of the season, connecting on a ball in the 15th minute. She also added the team’s fourth goal in the 56th minute, a one-time shot that beat the keeper to the left post. Abam was the second WVU player in as many games to score two goals in one match and has seen action in all 10 contests this season.

2014 Big 12 Soccer Weekly Awards