AUSTIN, Texas — Senior midfielder RILEY SISSON was named the Lone Star Conference Women's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week after scoring twice to lead St. Edward's to a 3-2 comeback victory at Lubbock Christian, keeping the Hilltoppers' postseason hopes alive.
Sisson started and finished the rally Saturday, helping St. Edward's erase a two-goal deficit. She led the Hilltoppers with five shots, including three on goal, and converted the game-winning penalty kick in the 72nd minute.
After Lubbock Christian scored twice in the opening 12 minutes, Sisson provided an immediate response. ARIANA WEISS sent a long pass to MACY JENNINGS on the right side, and Jennings delivered a cross for Sisson's run to the front of the net, cutting the deficit to 2-1 in the 17th minute.
SIERRA PADILLA headed in Jennings' free kick early in the second half to draw St. Edward's even. Sisson then completed the comeback after CLAIRE SMITH drew a foul inside the box, stepping to the penalty spot and delivering the deciding goal.
The two-goal performance brought Sisson's season total to four, tying Padilla for the team lead. Sisson leads the Hilltoppers with nine points and has started all 17 matches this season.
The victory was St. Edward's fourth in six matches, improving the Hilltoppers to 5-8-4 overall and 5-5-3 in conference play. St. Edward's closes the regular season Tuesday at Sul Ross State, with kickoff scheduled for 2 p.m.
LONE STAR CONFERENCE WOMEN'S SOCCER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
(Oct. 21-24 matches)
OFFENSIVE
RILEY SISSON, St. Edward's, MF, Sr., Accounting, Austin, Texas
St. Edward's senior midfielder RILEY SISSON helped the Hilltoppers erase a two-goal deficit by scoring two goals in a 3-2 road win over Lubbock Christian. Sisson got SEU on the board in the 16th minute then delivered the game-winner in the 71st minute. Her performance kept the Lady Chaps in the hunt for an LSC tournament berth with one game remaining in the regular season. Sisson also played 71 minutes in a match against top-ranked DBU.
DEFENSIVE
Zoe Walker, Oklahoma Christian, D, Sr., Interdisciplinary Studies, Norman, Okla.
Oklahoma Christian senior defender Zoe Walker helped the Eagles to an unbeaten week, including a shutout on the road against No. 1-ranked DBU. Walked played all 90 minutes against both DBU and UT Dallas. Walker and company became the first team to keep DBU off the scoreboard this season. The only goal OC allowed was a penalty kick against UTD. Walker helped the Eagles increase their unbeaten streak to seven matches. The Eagles have allowed just two goals over that stretch.
GOALKEEPER
Callie Gilliam, St. Mary's, GK, Fr., Biomedical Engineering, Lake Jackson, Texas
St. Mary's freshman goalkeeper Callie Gilliam had two clean sheets with 12 saves to lead the Rattlers to an unbeaten week. Gilliam's performance kept StMU's hopes alive for an LSC tournament berth. She made a career-high 11 stops – 10 in the second half – in a draw with UT Tyler. She had a penalty kick save in the 74th minute. Gilliam made one save on the road against Eastern New Mexico. She has three shutouts over her last four matches.
WEEKLY AWARDS
LSC Offensive Player of the Week
Aug. 31 Cassandra Ramirez, UT Permian Basin
Sept. 7 Leah Hurley, DBU
Sept. 14 Helen Lazaro, St. Mary's
Sept. 21 Jaida Arizmendi, Texas Woman's
Sept. 28 Ashley Washburn, DBU
Oct. 5 Riley Sims, West Texas A&M
Oct. 12 Riley Sims, West Texas A&M (2)
Oct. 19 Caid Jefferson, Oklahoma Christian
Oct. 26 RILEY SISSON, St. Edward's
LSC Defensive Player of the Week
Aug. 31 Bella Pillow, Midwestern State
Sept. 7 Emma Best, UT Dallas
Sept. 14 Leeci Snyder, Midwestern State
Sept. 21 Bella Rose, Midwestern State
Sept. 28 Bella Rose, Midwestern State (2)
Oct. 5 Mardie Frye, Texas Woman's
Oct. 12 Alexandra Hughes, Texas Woman's
Oct. 19 TESS DABNEY, St. Edward's
Oct. 26 Zoe Walker, Oklahoma Christian
LSC Goalkeeper of the Week
Aug. 31 Melyna Martinez, UT Dallas
Sept. 7 Lauren Short, Midwestern State
Sept. 14 Faith Graves, Texas Woman's
Sept. 21 Emma Wright, Lubbock Christian
Sept. 28 Breanna Wooten, Oklahoma Christian
Oct. 5 Emma Wright, Lubbock Christian (2)
Oct. 12 DARIA SCHLUMBOHM, St. Edward's
Oct. 19 Melyna Martinez, UT Dallas (2)
Oct. 26 Callie Gilliam, St. Mary's
D2CIDA National Player of the Week
Oct. 6 Riley Sims, West Texas A&M
Oct. 13 Riley Sims, West Texas A&M (2)
IWSOC National Goal of the Week
Sept. 24 Sydney Hopper, DBU
IWSOC National Save of the Week
Oc. 22 Franciezca Blancaflor, West Texas A&M
