Ott, Kovacs Earn Big Ten Weekly Honors
9/4/2018 2:43:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Three Spartans have garnered conference recognition this season.
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Redshirt-junior defender Michaela Kovacs and redshirt-junior goalkeeper Reilley Ott have been named Big Ten Defender and Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Week, respectively, as announced by the conference Tuesday.
The Spartans defeated Portland 1-0 and came to a 1-1 draw at Washington to sit at 4-0-1 through five games. It's MSU's best start since winning six in a row to begin the 2014 season. This is the first Big Ten Weekly Honor for both Ott and Kovacs, and is the third time a Spartan has earned Player of the Week recognition this season after Sadie Misiewicz was named Offensive Player of the Week on Aug. 21.
Kovacs delivered the game-winning score against Portland in a 1-0 victory in Seattle on Aug. 30. The Golden Goal came on a running header off a corner kick from junior Kassidy Madrigal in the 94th minute to break the scoreless tie. Kovacs was on the field for all 204 minutes the Spartans played in the two-game Husky/Nike Invitational, and has been a leader on the MSU back line that has allowed just one goal so far this season.
Ott recorded her fourth straight shutout to start the season, making five saves in the win against the Pilots. She tied her career-high by making 11 saves in Sunday's 1-1 draw on the road at Washington, including a crucial fingertip save in overtime by knocking the would-be game-winner off the crossbar. Ott was named the Husky/Nike Invitational Defensive Player of the Tournament and has been in goal for every minute the Spartans have been on the field this season.
MSU returns to DeMartin Stadium for two games this week, beginning with Oakland at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6 and followed by a 12 p.m. Alumni Day kickoff against Colorado on Sunday, Sept. 8.
The Spartans defeated Portland 1-0 and came to a 1-1 draw at Washington to sit at 4-0-1 through five games. It's MSU's best start since winning six in a row to begin the 2014 season. This is the first Big Ten Weekly Honor for both Ott and Kovacs, and is the third time a Spartan has earned Player of the Week recognition this season after Sadie Misiewicz was named Offensive Player of the Week on Aug. 21.
Kovacs delivered the game-winning score against Portland in a 1-0 victory in Seattle on Aug. 30. The Golden Goal came on a running header off a corner kick from junior Kassidy Madrigal in the 94th minute to break the scoreless tie. Kovacs was on the field for all 204 minutes the Spartans played in the two-game Husky/Nike Invitational, and has been a leader on the MSU back line that has allowed just one goal so far this season.
Ott recorded her fourth straight shutout to start the season, making five saves in the win against the Pilots. She tied her career-high by making 11 saves in Sunday's 1-1 draw on the road at Washington, including a crucial fingertip save in overtime by knocking the would-be game-winner off the crossbar. Ott was named the Husky/Nike Invitational Defensive Player of the Tournament and has been in goal for every minute the Spartans have been on the field this season.
MSU returns to DeMartin Stadium for two games this week, beginning with Oakland at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6 and followed by a 12 p.m. Alumni Day kickoff against Colorado on Sunday, Sept. 8.
Players Mentioned
M/D
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's SoccerJeff Hosler Postgame Comments | Stanford
Friday, November 28
Jeff Hosler | Women's Soccer Press Conference | Nov. 25, 2025
Tuesday, November 25
Jeff Hosler Postgame Comments | Colorado
Sunday, November 23
Jeff Hosler Postgame Comments | Wake Forest
Thursday, November 20