Soccer's Abby Smith tabbed Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week
Oct. 9, 2012
IRVING, Texas - Texas Soccer freshman goalkeeper Abby Smith has been named the Big 12 Conference Defensive Player of the Week, according to an announcement from the league Tuesday afternoon. Smith posted a shutout victory over No. 22 Oklahoma State last Friday to help the Longhorns to a 3-0-0 start to Big 12 play. The weekly award is the second of Smith's career as she was tabbed as the league's newcomer of the week on Sept. 25. Smith has started the last five matches upon her return from the U.S. Under-20 Women's National Team and helped the Longhorns to a 4-0-1 record. She has not allowed a goal in the last 295:47, since Denver's Kristen Hamilton scored at 84:13 to tie the match at 3-3 on Sept. 16. The Plano, Texas, product is the anchor of the only defense in the league that has not allowed a goal in a Big 12 contest. UT has three consecutive blankings in Big 12 competition for the first time since Oct. 8-15, 2010. In just five matches, the rookie has posted four shutouts, tied for the second-most by a freshman in program history. Smith's performance Friday against the nationally-ranked Cowgirls helped Texas improve to 3-0-0 in Big 12 action for the first time since opening the 2002 league campaign at 9-0-0. The victory was also UT's first over a top-25 opponent since topping fifth-ranked Oklahoma State 1-0 on Oct. 22, 2010. Joining Smith in earning Big 12 Conference honors were Offensive Players of the Week Jennifer Dominguez (Iowa State) and Kate Schwindel (West Virginia) with Baylor's Bri Campos selected as the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week. Texas (6-6-1, 3-0-0 Big 12) returns to action Friday hosting Texas Tech (10-4-0, 2-2-0 Big 12) for a 5:30 p.m. contest. The Longhorns wrap up the weekend welcoming Kansas (8-4-2, 2-2-0 Big 12) to Austin for a 1 p.m. Sunday match.
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