SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Samford senior forward Kaley Blanton has been named the Southern Conference’s women’s soccer player of the week for all matches Sept. 3-9. The award is selected by the league office.

Blanton scored three of Samford’s four goals on the week, leading the Bulldogs to a 2-0 record and the title of the Courtyard by Marriott Louisville Airport Cardinal Classic hosted by the University of Louisville. She also earned a spot on the all-tournament team.

In Friday’s 1-0 win over Toledo, the Mandeville, La., native came off the bench to score the golden goal 108th minute to give Samford the dramatic, double-overtime win.

Blanton earned the start against Kentucky two days later and followed up her late-game heroics with two goals the 3-1 victory over the Wildcats, giving her the game-winners in back-to-back contests. Her first strike came just 1:14 into the match against UK, and she made it a 2-0 spread with another score in the 17th minute.

Her three goals came on just six shots on the week.

With the wins, Samford ran its current winning streak to three consecutive games to even its record at 3-3.

The award is the second of Blanton’s career, as she also took the honor on Sept. 7, 2010.

After playing five of its first six matches on the road, Samford returns home to host Kennesaw State on Friday at 7 p.m. Central time.

Also nominated: Mariana Garcia (The Citadel), Simi Dhaliwal (Elon), Rachel Locke (Davidson), Stephanie DeVita (Furman), Courtney Collins (Georgia Southern), Ashley Stokes (UNCG), Lauren Thomas (Chattanooga), Katie Weigel (Western Carolina) and Annika Jansson (Wofford).

 

2012 SoCon Women’s Soccer Players of the Week
Aug. 21       Jamie Simmons, UNCG
Aug. 28       Chesney White, UNCG
Sept. 4       Katie Merson, Georgia Southern
Sept. 11      Kaley Blanton, Samford

 -www.SoConSports.com-