COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – San Diego State sophomore midfielder Laura Fuentes is the Mountain West Conference's Offensive Player of the Week for the week ending October 13.
Fuentes, the reigning Mountain West Newcomer of the Year, scored both goals for the Aztecs last week as they went on the road at Boise State and Utah State and posted a 1-1 record. This is her first Mountain West weekly honor, the second for an Aztec women's soccer player in as many weeks and the second for the team this year. With the split, the Aztecs head into this weekend in a three-way tie for second place on the Mountain West table.
"Laura is a big-time player who is an important part of our team," head women's soccer coach Mike Friesen said. "She had a great weekend and not only scored two goals, but did great defensive work that was critical to our success."
In two games, the Newark, Calif., native, averaged two shots per game and scored San Diego State's lone goal in each match.
Trailing 2-0 in the 75th minute at Boise State on Friday afternoon, Chloe Frisch drove to the end line on the right side of the box and was dragged down from behind which resulted in a penalty kick being awarded. Fuentes took the kick at the 74:19 mark, first faking to her right and then slotting the ball into the empty left side of the net for her first tally of the season.
On Sunday versus Utah State, tied 0-0 in the 68th minute, the Aztecs had a corner kick. It was taken by Taylor Moorehead and cleared. The clearance went just outside the top of the 18 where Sarah Broacha chipped it back inside the six. Fuentes was in the right place at the right time. She beat the Utah State keeper and a defender to the ball and headed it on into the goal. It was her second goal of the season and her second in as many games and secured a victory for the Aztecs.
San Diego State wraps up a four-game stretch on the road this Friday evening at Air Force, and then is at Colorado College on Sunday afternoon. Kickoff for each game is scheduled for 5 p.m., and 12 p.m. (PT), respectively.