Soccer's Abby Smith named Big 12 Newcomer of the Week
Sept. 25, 2012
IRVING, Texas - After posting consecutive shutouts to help Texas Soccer to its first 2-0 start in the Big 12 Conference since 2006, freshman goalkeeper Abby Smith has been named the league's newcomer of the week. It is the first career weekly award for Smith. The Plano, Texas, native blanked Iowa State in her Big 12 debut, becoming the first Longhorn to record a shutout in the league opener since Dianna Pfenninger against Texas A&M on Sept. 26, 2008, in a 0-0 draw. Smith finished the match against the Cyclones with four saves. At Oklahoma on Sunday, Smith earned another shutout, making two saves in the process. The back-to-back Big 12 blankings are the first for Texas since Oct. 10 and 15, 2010, versus Baylor and Missouri and the first during the initial two league matches of the campaign since Sept. 29 and Oct. 4, 2002. The pair of wins gave the Longhorns their first league weekend sweep since topping Missouri and Iowa State on Oct. 15 and 17, 2010. Smith is the first Longhorn to earn a Big 12 weekly honor since Alexa Gaul's defensive player of the week award on Sept. 6, 2011. Prior to Smith's recognition, UT's last Big 12 Newcomer of the Week was Leah Fortune, on Sept. 21, 2010. Joining Smith in earning this week's Big 12 Conference honors were West Virginia teammates Frances Silva (Offensive) and Bry McCarthy (Defensive). Texas (5-6-1, 2-0-0 Big 12) and Smith have this weekend off before returning to action next Friday, Oct. 5, against No. 17 Oklahoma State (9-3-0, 0-2-0 Big 12) for Kick for a Cure.
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