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.
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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.  Â
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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. Â Â Â
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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.
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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.
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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.  Â
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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. Â Â Â
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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.
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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.
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Players Mentioned
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