BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Prairie View A&M’s Alicia Cooper, Breanna Powell and Dominique Dillon have been recognized by the Southwestern Athletic Conference as soccer players of the week for their exceptional performance in competition, August 25-31.
Offensive Player of the Week – Cooper
Cooper recorded the second hat trick of her PVAMU career Sunday to lead the Panthers to a 3-2 win at Incarnate Word. Cooper scored a natural trick, scoring at 37:25, 40:29, and 41:34 of the first half, to give PVAMU a 3-0 lead in a span of 4 minutes, 9 seconds. Her quick hat trick is being examined to see where it ranks among the fastest three consecutive goals by a single player in NCAA history. The record is 2:02, set by Florida’s Abby Wambach in 2000 against Arkansas.
The junior also added an assist in Friday’s 2-2 tie at UT Rio Grande Valley. Cooper led the Panthers to a 1-1-1 week, marking the earliest point in a season in which PVAMU has been at .500 or better since 2004.
Defensive Player of the Week – Powell
Powell, the lone returner from the Panthers’ starting back line in 2014, played every minute of Prairie View A&M’s three matches this week as the team went 1-1-1. Powell, the SWAC’s preseason Defensive Player of the Year, has been a mentor to the team’s newcomers while playing all 290 minutes of the Panthers’ contests. Powell played key roles in preserving a double-overtime tie at UT Rio Grande Valley on Friday, and then helped fend off an Incarnate Word attack in the second half of Sunday’s 3-2 victory. The Cardinals fired 16 shots in the second half, but only three were on goal.
Powell’s week has been a key part of Prairie View A&M’s 1-1-1 start, marking the earliest point in a season in which PVAMU has been at .500 or better since 2004.
Goalie of the Week – Dillon
Dillon picked up her first victory in nearly two seasons as she backstopped the Panthers to a 3-2 win at Incarnate Word on Sunday. Dillon made four saves as she held off a late comeback attempt by the Cardinals, who fired 16 shots in the second half, but only three on goal.
Dillon also played a crucial role in Prairie View A&M’s 2-2 tie at UT Rio Grande Valley on Friday. She stopped nine shots by the Vaqueros, including three during the overtime periods. Her 1-1-1 record in goal this week is part of Prairie View A&M’s best three-match start since 2004.
SWAC
