Soccer: Howell-Harries Picks Up Defensive Player of the Week Honors
Nick Ross, October 15, 2013
Contact: Nick Ross
LAFAYETTE, La. – Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns soccer captain Grace Howell-Harries was named Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week, after scoring a goal and adding an assist over the weekend, while playing in every minute on the Cajuns backline. The announcement was made by the conference office on Tuesday.
"It is very well deserved," head coach Scot Wieland said of Howell-Harries award. "She has been that rock for three years now, and rarely comes off the field. Unfortunately for defenders they usually go unnoticed and untalked about. She is an incredibly, highly respected teammate, and she leads by example. I am very proud of her. "
It is the first Player of the Week honor for Howell-Harries, and third for the Ragin’ Cajuns in the 2013 season.
"I was very excited," Howell-Harries said of being named Player of the Week. "It was very strange because it was the first time we have had a Defensive Player of the Week, which is also very exciting."
Howell-Harries scored the game-winning goal against UALR for just her second career goal, and assisted on the game-winning goal against Arkansas state for a three-point weekend.
"Scoring as a defender is very hard because you rarely get up the field," Howell-Harries said of her two goals this season. "When it happens it is very exciting."
The junior, London, Ontario native has played in every minute of the 2013 season. She was named to the preseason All-Sun Belt team this year, and was selected to second-team All-Sun Belt as a freshman.
Howell-Harries has been a staple in the Cajuns’ defense, playing in every single game since her arrival in 2011.
The Cajuns are 7-5-2 on the season and have three games remaining until the annual Sun Belt Tournament. They take on Texas State at home on Friday, Oct. 18, before traveling to South Alabama on Thursday, Oct. 24, and will return home for the regular season finale on Sunday, Oct. 27 for Senior Day against Troy.
