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Amy Annala earns weekly MAC crown for soccer defense

September 29, 2014
Amy Annala

Amy Annala

Northern Illinois University women’s soccer freshman goalkeeper Amy Annala was named Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Week, the conference announced on Monday.

Annala (Oswego, Ill./Oswego) helped NIU begin MAC play with a 2-0 record for the first time since 1998, leading the Huskies to a pair of thrilling 2-1 overtime victories at Central Michigan and Toledo.

“We’re very happy for Amy. She’s very deserving of this award after the tremendous weekend she had,” NIU head coach John Ross said. “This is also a complete team award for the outstanding defensive effort we had last weekend in getting two huge results on the road.”

With her incredible 19 saves in two games this weekend, Annala now leads the MAC with 63 total saves this season, leapfrogging Ohio’s Nicole Amari (61) and Bowling Green’s Lauren Cadel (56) in that category.

Annala made eight stops at Central Michigan and tied a career high with 11 saves against Toledo, a game she also dealt with 11 corner kicks from the Rockets. Facing 31 total shot attempts from opposing players on her net this weekend, Annala conceded just two goals while claiming numerous crosses and passes that thwarted opposing attacks.

The Huskies return home this weekend, facing Kent State at 7 p.m. Friday and Ohio at 1 p.m. Sunday. Both contests will be held at the NIU Soccer Complex. Admission is free to all fans.

For more information on NIU women’s soccer and Huskie athletics, visit www.niuhuskies.com.