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Goal.com's WPS Player Of Week 9: St. Louis Athletica's Jillian Loyden
Jillian Loyden stepped in big for Saint Louis Athletica, helping the club to their second straight win and shutout.
May 25, 2009 11:09:06 PM
Week nine of Women’s Professional Soccer was an interesting week. It was a time for the bench players to step up as 23 starters were out for the USA – Canada friendly. And a number of players did. However it was Saint Louis Athletica goalkeeper Jillian Loyden who impressed in her debut. Goal.com has named her WPS Player of the Week for week 9.
Loyden stepped in for Hope Solo, who was out on U.S. National Team debut. She led Athletica to their second straight win, via shutout – 2-0 over the Chicago Red Stars.
“It's not easy to deputize for a top goalkeeper like Hope Solo, but with the U.S. netminder called in for national team duty, Loyden proved that St. Louis has two great options in goal, turning aside everything the Chicago Red Stars could throw at her,” Goal.com’s Andrea Canales said.
Loyden made six stops in a game riddled with Red Stars opportunities. Chicago out shot Saint Louis 12 to 6 and kept Loyden on her toes. But she stepped up like a champ.
“I was nervous,” Loyden said. “But once I made the first save, I calmed down and played my game.”
Karen Carney had four shots on the night, while Cristiane had three. They didn’t hold anything back against Saint Louis. The 23-year-old keeper joined Athletica after a successful campaign at Villanova, where she left with 82 games, 37 shutouts, 48 wins and a 0.68 goals against average. Saint Louis picked her up in the sixth round with the No. 37 overall pick. And so far, she’s shown she can either back up Solo or mind the net herself.
“Villanova alum Jillian Loyden put in another classy performance for St. Louis in their match against Chicago as she kept a clean sheet and made several difficult saves, six in total,” Goal.com’s Shane Evans said. “The win was a huge one for Athletica, a team who isn’t known for its scoring, but because of Loyden and co. are certainly becoming known for keeping the ball out of their own net.”
Loyden wasn’t the only member of Athletica to receive Player of the Week nods. Eniola Aluko who sparked Athletica’s first goal and tallied another also turned some heads. Aluko has played in six matches, with five starts and two goals. But Saturday night her speed and skill was never questioned as she led Athletica to a 2-0 win.
“St. Louis Athletica's Eniola Aluko showed a formidable Chicago side (national team players gone or not) that St. Louis' season isn't even close to over with Daniela's unfortunate departure,” Goal.com’s Angela Tavares said. “Not only was she laying on firm pressure to force Ifeoma Dieke into a poor play that led to Dieke tipping one into her own net, but she also knocked a more legitimate one past Red Stars keeper Caroline Jonsson to seal the deal. “
Los Angeles Sol goalkeeper Val Henderson also received a nod for her success. Karina LeBlanc has been unstoppable in goal for Los Angeles, earning six shutouts. But with her on Canadian National Team duty, Henderson got the starting nod. She kept the Sol’s success intact, earning a shutout while making four saves.
Goal.com
For more on Women's Professional Soccer, go to Goal.com's women's soccer page.
Loyden stepped in for Hope Solo, who was out on U.S. National Team debut. She led Athletica to their second straight win, via shutout – 2-0 over the Chicago Red Stars.
“It's not easy to deputize for a top goalkeeper like Hope Solo, but with the U.S. netminder called in for national team duty, Loyden proved that St. Louis has two great options in goal, turning aside everything the Chicago Red Stars could throw at her,” Goal.com’s Andrea Canales said.
Loyden made six stops in a game riddled with Red Stars opportunities. Chicago out shot Saint Louis 12 to 6 and kept Loyden on her toes. But she stepped up like a champ.
“I was nervous,” Loyden said. “But once I made the first save, I calmed down and played my game.”
Karen Carney had four shots on the night, while Cristiane had three. They didn’t hold anything back against Saint Louis. The 23-year-old keeper joined Athletica after a successful campaign at Villanova, where she left with 82 games, 37 shutouts, 48 wins and a 0.68 goals against average. Saint Louis picked her up in the sixth round with the No. 37 overall pick. And so far, she’s shown she can either back up Solo or mind the net herself.
“Villanova alum Jillian Loyden put in another classy performance for St. Louis in their match against Chicago as she kept a clean sheet and made several difficult saves, six in total,” Goal.com’s Shane Evans said. “The win was a huge one for Athletica, a team who isn’t known for its scoring, but because of Loyden and co. are certainly becoming known for keeping the ball out of their own net.”
Loyden wasn’t the only member of Athletica to receive Player of the Week nods. Eniola Aluko who sparked Athletica’s first goal and tallied another also turned some heads. Aluko has played in six matches, with five starts and two goals. But Saturday night her speed and skill was never questioned as she led Athletica to a 2-0 win.
“St. Louis Athletica's Eniola Aluko showed a formidable Chicago side (national team players gone or not) that St. Louis' season isn't even close to over with Daniela's unfortunate departure,” Goal.com’s Angela Tavares said. “Not only was she laying on firm pressure to force Ifeoma Dieke into a poor play that led to Dieke tipping one into her own net, but she also knocked a more legitimate one past Red Stars keeper Caroline Jonsson to seal the deal. “
Los Angeles Sol goalkeeper Val Henderson also received a nod for her success. Karina LeBlanc has been unstoppable in goal for Los Angeles, earning six shutouts. But with her on Canadian National Team duty, Henderson got the starting nod. She kept the Sol’s success intact, earning a shutout while making four saves.
Goal.com
For more on Women's Professional Soccer, go to Goal.com's women's soccer page.
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