NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – For the second consecutive week,
Deena DeBaldo has been named Atlantic 10 Co-Offensive Player of the Week, the conference announced on Monday afternoon. Against VCU on Sunday, DeBaldo struck for the equalizing goal in the 73rd minute and fired off an assist off a corner kick in the 83rd minute to Ashley Brisoce for the game-winning goal.
The award marks the first-time in program history that Duquesne has received back-to-back Atlantic 10 Offensive/Player of the Week honors since Michelle Gunna (9/21/98) and Jessica McGarry (9/28/98) were recognized as A-10 Player of the Week on consecutive weeks. DeBaldo is the only individual player to earn the honor on successive weeks for the Dukes.
VCU had entered the game receiving a vote in the United Soccer Coaches Top-25 poll, and ranked second in the United Soccer Coaches East Region poll. They had suffered just one defeat on the season, falling to Old Dominion (4-3).
Both DeBaldo's goal and assist came as a result of corner kicks, as
Lexy Kendro struck a corner kick that was settled by
Natalie Bell in the 73rd minute. A Ram defender tried to clear the ball, but DeBaldo would take possession and fire a shot into the back of the net for her sixth goal of the season to tie the contest at 1-1.
Just over 10 minutes later, DeBaldo's corner kick found Briscoe, who headed in the game-winning goal.
The native of Fox Chapel, Pa. now leads the conference in goals (6) and is tied for the league lead in points (13.)
Over her last two games, she has recorded four goals and an assist for nine points.
DeBaldo and the rest of the Dukes are back in action on Thursday, when Duquesne travels to Davidson for the first road A-10 game of the season. The Dukes close the week at La Salle on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
DUQUESNE WOMEN'S SOCCER A-10 HONORS THIS SEASON
Megan Virgin - Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 3)
Lauren Bell - co-Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 3)
Deena DeBaldo - co-Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 16)
Deena DeBaldo - co-Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 23)
ATLANTIC 10 WEEKLY HONORS - 9/23
co-Offensive POTW:Â
Deena DeBaldo, Duquesne & Maria Pareja, George Washington
Defensive POTW: Mary Grace Bunch, Davidson
Rookie of the Week: Hailey Braemer, Davidson
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