Sept. 22, 2008

UTEP junior Chelsea Winbush and Rice sophomore Meghan Erkel were named the Conference USA Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, for matches played through Sept. 21. Eleven schools wrapped up their non-conference regular season, with all 12 opening conference play on Sept. 26.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Chelsea Winbush, UTEP
Junior, MF/D, Allen, Texas
Winbush scored in a pair of Miner victories and tallied a team-best five points over the weekend to lead UTEP to the Border Shootout title. Winbush scored UTEP's first goal in Friday's 3-1 win against Air Force. In Sunday's tilt against Northern Colorado, Winbush was also responsible for the Miners' initial goal. She then was credited with an assist on UTEP's second tally, which proved to be the match winner. Even more impressive is the fact that Winbush was a defender her whole career before being converted to midfield prior to the start of Friday's match in an effort to spark the offense. The change paid dividends, as UTEP scored six goals in two games after managing 10 goals through the first seven contests. This is her first C-USA Player of the Week honor.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Meghan Erkel, Rice
Sophomore, GK, Granite Bay, Calif.
Erkel made nine saves in 135 minutes of work to help the Owls go 1-1-0 for the weekend. The sophomore started Friday's game in the net against McNeese State in goal and allowed no goals in the 4-2 victory. She also started Sunday against No. 8 Texas A&M in a 2-1 decision to the nationally-ranked Aggies. Erkel registered an .818 save percentage on the weekend. It is her first Player of the Week award.