Owens named adidas® OVC Defensive Player of the Week; Naerdemann as Goalkeeper of the Week
A banner Tuesday afternoon unfolded for the Tennessee Tech soccer team as two Golden Eagles were recognized for their outstanding showings in leading Tech to a win and a draw over the weekend.
By Dylan Vazzano, Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – A banner Tuesday afternoon unfolded for the Tennessee Tech soccer team as two Golden Eagles were recognized for their outstanding showings in leading Tech to a win and a draw over the weekend. Junior Karigan Owens was named the adidas® Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week, and sophomore Kari Naerdemann was recognized as the adidas® OVC Goalkeeper of the Week.
"We're happy for both Kari and Karigan to be selected for this honor for their play this past weekend," TTU head coach Steve Springthorpe said. "Both had a great weekend of games for us and we are definitely excited for them to receive these awards."
Owens' accolade marks the second time in the last three weeks in which the junior has hoisted some conference hardware after being named the OVC Offensive Player of the Week on Aug. 30, following a four-point effort in an Aug. 28, 3-0 win over Mercer. The latest honor comes on the heels of another four-point performance for Owens, accomplishing the feat in Friday night's 3-0 win over in-state foe Middle Tennessee, before adding another assist in Sunday's 1-1 draw with ETSU.
Overall, Owens notched five points behind a goal and three assists in Tech's pair of weekend matches. The La Grange, Ky. native boasts a conference-leading six assists and two goals on the year.
Kari Naerdemann's award comes on the heels of a 12-save showing in the two weekend tilts, highlighted by the Herne, Germany native's fourth shutout of the season in Friday night's win over the Blue Raiders. Naerdemann has 11 career shutouts, second most in program history, and has now been named the OVC Goalkeeper of the Week three times since joining the Golden Eagles before the start of last season.
Tech will hit the road for the final non-conference weekend of the season, traveling to Radford Friday night for a 6 p.m. CT matchup with the Highlanders, before locking up with Western Carolina Sunday at noon CT.
