Heine and Smith Garner Weekly Conference Honors
Sophomore forward Ann Heine of Stevens Institute of Technology and junior Caitlyn Smith of the Utica College women’s soccer team were named Empire 8 Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week.
Over the three-game span, Heine led the Ducks to a 2-1 record and earned Offensive MVP honors in the Stevens Engineering Cup in Stevens’ second place finish of the tournament.
Heine earned the conference’s top offensive player recognition after tallying four goals and an assist in three contests. She recorded at least one goal in of the three matches this week, including two scores and an assist against Eastern University on September 5.
At the Engineering Cup, Heine netted the game-winner in a 4-0 shutout of Ursinus College and put in another score as time expired in the first half in a 5-2 loss to Kean University. The loss to the Cougars snapped Stevens’ 16-game unbeaten streak which was the second longest such run in program history.
In four games this season, Heine leads the Ducks with five goals and two assists for 12 points, including two game-winning scores. She also has put an impressive eight of her 10 shots on goal in the early season.
Stevens will be back in action on Wednesday, September 12 at 7 p.m. against Vassar College at the De Baun Athletic Complex. The night game will also be the team’s Duck Country event.
Smith, the net minder from Waterville, NY had 14 saves last week as Utica went 2-0. On Wednesday, she recorded her third straight shutout as the Pioneers defeated SUNY IT, 2-0. On Friday, she made a season-high 11 saves in Utica’s 2-1 win over Oswego. Her 2012 shutout streak lasted 343:02, before allowing the goal against the Lakers.
The Pioneers are currently 4-0 overall and have outscored opponents 9-1 so far on the season. They return to action Saturday, as they host RPI for a non-conference match up. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m.