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Simmons Named Southern Conference Player of the Week
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – UNCG goalkeeper Jamie Simmons (Houston, Texas/Clear Brook HS) has been named the Southern Conference Women's Soccer Player of the Week for games Aug. 17-20 after making her collegiate debut against Georgia over the weekend, the league office announced Tuesday.
"We are very excited for Jamie and our team as she is very deserving of this distinction," said head coach Steve Nugent. "Counting the exhibition against UNC, Jamie has put together two very impressive performances this year and is handling her team and its organization very well. All credit to her for preparing herself to play at this level."
Simmons stopped 14 shots in her first match in UNCG's 1-0, double-overtime loss at Georgia on Friday. She fell one save shy of tying the record for most saves set in 2001 by Kathryn Clewley.
The Houston, Texas native made a flurry of fantastic saves, including a game-saving stop with less than 30 seconds remaining in the second half. Simmons was able to turn away seven in the second half alone and three in overtime with her only blemish coming on a penalty kick in the 104th minute.
Stepping into the starting role vacated by four-year All-SoCon keeper Kelsey Kearney, Simmons performed admirably, becoming the Spartans' first freshman to be named SoCon player of the week since teammate Lauren Hein did so on Sept. 22, 2009.
The Spartans take on No. 3 Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, N.C., on Friday at 7 p.m before returning home to face in-state rival UNC Asheville on Sunday at 2 p.m.
2012 SoCon Women's Soccer Players of the Week
Aug. 21 Jamie Simmons, UNCG
- UNCG -
