Najera Earns Third Big Ten Women's Soccer Freshman of the Week Honor
10/17/2023 3:02:00 PM | Women's Soccer
EAST LANSING, Mich. - For the third time this season, Michigan State women's soccer freshman forward/midfielder Bella Najera has been named Big Ten Freshman of the Week, the league announced Tuesday afternoon.Â
With Tuesday's award, Najera becomes the first Spartan in program history to earn three or more Freshman of the Week honors. Her three weekly honors are the most of any freshman in the league this season.Â
The St. Charles, Illinois native put together another impressive pair of performances in MSU's final conference road contests last week, adding an assist on Justina Gaynor's goal in a 1-1 draw at then-No. 25 Indiana on Oct. 12 before scoring the opening goal in the Spartans' 2-0 win at Rutgers on Oct. 15. The win at Rutgers was MSU's first ever in Piscataway and marked the second-straight season that the Spartans went undefeated in Big Ten road matches.Â
Najera leads the team in points (15) this season and ranks second in goals scored (6). She leads in both categories among all freshmen in the Big Ten.Â
The Spartans wrap up the regular season this week with home contests against Illinois (Oct. 19, 7 p.m.) and Iowa (Oct. 22, 1 p.m.) at DeMartin Stadium.Â
