Oct. 5, 2015
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - San Diego State junior defender Jen Rupey has been named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced Monday. The award is the first of her career and marks the second time an Aztec has been named the league's top defensive performer this season after Stacie Moran was recognized on Aug. 24.
Hailing from Mission Viejo, California, Rupey received the starting nod in shutout home victories over UNLV and Nevada, making San Diego State the only MW school to not allow a goal last week. The two wins, which ran the Aztecs' winning streak to a season-high three games, also helped SDSU pull into a second-place tie in the league standings after opening conference play with a loss.
In the 3-0 victory over the Rebels on Friday, Rupey sent a well-placed ball into the box where sophomore Aliyah Utush gathered the pass and found the back of the net. The goal ultimately proved to be the game-winner. On the defensive end, Rupey and her backline teammates allowed only one corner kick, which occurred in the 79th minute, and five non-threatening shots on goal.
Two days later in the 4-0 win over the Wolf Pack, Rupey played a critical role in keeping the visitors off the scoreboard. From her wide-back position, Rupey and the backline limited Nevada to only six shots (four on goal) and zero attempts in the final 48 minutes. Rupey and SDSU defense also did not allow a single corner kick for the game. The Aztecs' effort helped them turn a 1-0 halftime lead into an insurmountable one for the Wolf Pack as San Diego State went on to win in convincing fashion.
For the week, Rupey finished with one assist, three shots and one shot on goal, while playing an average of 84 minutes in the two games. Her assist vs. UNLV marked the second consecutive game in which she recorded one in the column after being credited with an assist at Utah State.
San Diego State, which has blanked its last three opponents, will play host to Colorado State on Friday, Oct. 9, at SDSU Sports Deck. The conference clash is set for 7 p.m. PT and admission is free. The game will also stream live at GoAztecs.com via the Mountain West Network.