Soccer: Einarsdottir, Starwood Sweep Sun Belt Soccer Awards
Duo earn first SBC weekly awards after helping Ragin’ Cajuns to sixth straight win
Matt Sullivan, Associate Director of Athletics Communications
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NEW ORLEANS – After helping the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Women’s Soccer team to its school-record sixth consecutive shutout victory, the duo of Una Einarsdottir and Lauryn Starwood were each named as the Sun Belt Conference Players of the Week, announced by the league office on Wednesday.
Einarsdottir, a senior midfielder, was named the Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Week with Starwood, a Lafayette native and Teurlings Catholic product, tabbed as the league’s Defensive Player of the Week.
The selection of Einarsdottir and Starwood marked the second time this season that Louisiana (8-3-0, 4-2-0 Sun Belt) swept the league’s weekly awards. Goalkeeper Jordan Higgins and forward Lizzie Mayfield were each honored by the league on Sept. 9 after helping the Ragin’ Cajuns to wins over Abilene Christian and South Alabama.
Einarsdottir, a native of Gardur, Iceland, recorded the first three-point match of her career after posting a goal and assist in Louisiana’s 2-0 win over ULM on Sunday. She broke a scoreless tie early in the second half when she set up Lizzie Mayfield’s game-winning goal in the 50th minute, sliding a ball behind ULM goalkeeper Hailey Hillock that Mayfield would place into the lower right corner of the net to give Louisiana a 1-0 lead
She later scored her 11th career goal in the 58th minute when she took a pass from Mayfield and found the lower right corner of the net for a 2-0 advantage. The goal moved her into a tie for ninth-place on the Ragin’ Cajuns all-time list.
Starwood continued her incredible rookie season by posting her sixth consecutive shutout victory in the 2-0 win. The freshman goalkeeper extended her scoreless streak to 602 minutes in helping Louisiana to the season-sweep of its in-state foe while recording all five of her saves in the opening half
She lowered her goals against average to 0.15 overall on the season, which currently leads the SBC and is the lowest nationally for goalies who have played more than one match. Her .958 save percentage (1 goal allowed, 23 saves) is tied with TCU’s Emily Alvarado for the national lead for goalies who have played more than one match.
Louisiana will return to action for its home finale on Thursday (Oct. 22) when it faces Little Rock in a 7 p.m., contest at the Ragin’ Cajuns Track/Soccer Facility.
The Ragin’ Cajuns Track/Soccer Facility will operate at a significantly reduced capacity for the 2020 season (unless state policy changes during the season). This will allow for fans and University students to be accommodated this season.
Should disruptions or modifications to the 2020 season occur due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Athletics will quickly communicate the adjustments through its social media channels and RaginCajuns.com. Additionally, the department will communicate any changes to specific entry and attendance protocols for home matches.
In the interest of public safety and following the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) Best Practices Guide, the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Athletics Department is implementing a clear bag policy at all venues that host ticketed events effective with the 2020-21 competition season. Information about the clear bag policy can be found by visiting www.RaginCajuns.com/clearbag.
Follow the Ragin’ Cajuns on Twitter (@RaginCajunsSOC), Instagram (@RaginCajuns_SOC) and Facebook (Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Soccer) or check RaginCajuns.com for Louisiana soccer updates.
