Waunch named CCC and Region I Offensive Player of the Week

September 25, 2007

Senior Megan Waunch became the third straight Warrior to be named Player of the Week award at the conference level thanks to her performance last week in two games. (Photo courtesy of Corban Sports Information)

PORTLAND, Ore. - As announced today by the Cascade Collegiate Conference office, Corban's women's soccer senior forward Megan Waunch (Tumwater, Wash.) was named conference and NAIA Region I Offensive Player of the Week thanks to a combined three-goal, one-assist performance last week.

In a pair of games last week, Waunch amassed for just under 50% of Corban's scoring in a win over first-year conference member Northwest Christian and a heart-breaking overtime loss to Frontier Conference member Westminster.

On Wednesday, Waunch tallied a pair of goals and an assist in the Warriors' 6-1 victory over the Beacons of Northwest Christian. The 5-foot-4 forward scored the game's opening goal in the 3rd minute and then teamed with sophomore Jessica Matthews (Yelm, Wash.) on what would turned out to be the game-winning goal in the 6th minute. Just over 60 minutes later, Waunch netted her second goal of the game when she received an assist from sophomore Kacie Emerick (Bellingham, Wash.).

Three days later, Waunch opened the game with her fourth goal of the season in the 11th minute.  She began the play by taking the ball up the far sideline and then lofted a shot up over the out-stretched arms of Westminster's keeper into the upper left corner of the net. Unfortunately for Waunch and the Warriors, the final score was not in their favor as Westminster picked up a 3-2 overtime victory.

"Megan is having a great final season as a Warrior," said twelfth head coach Marty Ziesemer. "To have three different players honored at the conference level in the past three weeks shows a lot for Corban women's soccer. Megan has proven to be a leader both on and off the field this season and should continue to shine as this year progresses."

This honor is Waunch's second of her career and first since she was named both conference and regional Player of the Week on October 26, 2005. Along with Waunch's offensive accolade this week, Corban women's soccer received a conference and regional Offensive POW two weeks ago when senior Sara Laughlin (Ephrata, Wash.) earned her first-ever award. Last week, junior goalkeeper Karyn Allen (Merlin, Ore.) continued Corban's honors when she was named conference Defensive Player of the Week following back-to-back outstanding performances against Cascade and nationally-ranked Concordia.

So far this season, Corban is 4-6-0 overall (2-1-0 in conference) and are next in action on Tuesday, September 25th, when they host NCAA Division II member Western Oregon University in a non-conference match-up at Sparks Field on the campus of Willamette University.