Murray State University Athletics
Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics
Withers, Critcher & Steigerwald Sweep OVC Weekly Honors
10/11/2016 3:02:00 PM | Women's Soccer
The Murray State women's double-shutout week led to the Racers sweeping the three Ohio Valley Conference soccer awards as announced by the league office in Brentwood, Tennessee. Voting is conducted each week by the OVC's sports information directors.
Â
The Racers were honored with Co-OVC Offensive Player of the Week by Harriet Withers, OVC Defensive Player of the Week by Ali Critcher and OVC Goalkeeper of the Week by Alex Steigerwald.
Â
Withers shared her award with UT-Martin's Amy McGivern.
Â
Withers, a junior and the 2015 OVC Player of the Year, scored a goal and had an assist in MSU's 3-0 Sunday victory over visiting Eastern Kentucky. Critcher, a senior from Edgewood, Ky., helped the Racer defense shutout Tech 1-0 and EKU 3-0 and chipped in a goal in each game. Steigerwald, a sophomore from West Chester, Ohio, defended the MSU goal in 180 minutes to post two shutouts and saved all eight shots she faced for her second and third shutouts of the season.
Â
This marks the eighth time a team has swept the OVC weekly awards since three awards were first given in 2006. Last season (2015) Withers and Steigerwald combined with Taylor Stevens to get the sweep. MSU also did it in 2014 when Julie Mooney, Stevens and Savannah Haberman were honored.
Â
The awards from the OVC are the first of the season for the Racers, who lead the league with a 4-0-1 mark as they eye back-to-back regular season championships. MSU carries a 16-game OVC regular season unbeaten streak into their Friday match at Eastern Illinois. The Racers play at SIUE Sunday before coming home (Oct. 21) to host Jacksonville State and (Oct. 23) against Belmont at Cutchin Field.
Â
The Racers were honored with Co-OVC Offensive Player of the Week by Harriet Withers, OVC Defensive Player of the Week by Ali Critcher and OVC Goalkeeper of the Week by Alex Steigerwald.
Â
Withers shared her award with UT-Martin's Amy McGivern.
Â
Withers, a junior and the 2015 OVC Player of the Year, scored a goal and had an assist in MSU's 3-0 Sunday victory over visiting Eastern Kentucky. Critcher, a senior from Edgewood, Ky., helped the Racer defense shutout Tech 1-0 and EKU 3-0 and chipped in a goal in each game. Steigerwald, a sophomore from West Chester, Ohio, defended the MSU goal in 180 minutes to post two shutouts and saved all eight shots she faced for her second and third shutouts of the season.
Â
This marks the eighth time a team has swept the OVC weekly awards since three awards were first given in 2006. Last season (2015) Withers and Steigerwald combined with Taylor Stevens to get the sweep. MSU also did it in 2014 when Julie Mooney, Stevens and Savannah Haberman were honored.
Â
The awards from the OVC are the first of the season for the Racers, who lead the league with a 4-0-1 mark as they eye back-to-back regular season championships. MSU carries a 16-game OVC regular season unbeaten streak into their Friday match at Eastern Illinois. The Racers play at SIUE Sunday before coming home (Oct. 21) to host Jacksonville State and (Oct. 23) against Belmont at Cutchin Field.
Players Mentioned
M/F
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer
D/M
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's SoccerIndiana State VS Murray State | MVC Baseball Tournament | Game Highlights
Friday, May 22
Evansville VS Murray State | Women's Basketball Game Highlights
Saturday, February 28
Head Coach Rechelle Turner | Racer Basketball | 2/26/26 Post Game Press Conference
Friday, February 27
Thomas & Pena | Racer Basketball | 2/26/26 Post Game Press Conference
Friday, February 27
