Makayla Merlo, Katie Puchino and Kayla Caballero Claim Women’s Soccer Player of the Week Honors
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – University of Colorado Colorado Springs’ Makayla Merlo and Katie Puchino and Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Kayla Caballero are the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Women’s Soccer Players of the Week, the league announced Tuesday.
Merlo claims Offensive Player of the Week honors after an impressive week for the Mountain Lions, where she netted a pair of goals the led to a road sweep for UCCS (2-0). Puchino earns Defensive Player of the Week honors after helping the Mountain Lions to a key upset over No. 2 Dallas Baptist.
Caballero earns Goalkeeper of the Week distinctions after pitching her second shutout on the season, which led the Roadrunners to a tie on the road against St. Edwards.
Offensive Player of the Week: Makayla Merlo, UCCS – Fr. – MF – Broomfield, Colo.
Merlo and the Mountain Lions completed their first road sweep of the season by knocking off No. 2 Dallas Baptist in a 3-1 result, followed by another 3-1 victory over Texas A&M-Commerce. Merlo totaled four shots, two shots on goal and two goals last week to pace UCCS to an unbeaten week.
Defensive Player of the Week: Katie Puchino, UCCS – Jr. – D – Centennial, Colo.
Puchino was a key piece for the Mountain Lions backline, leading her squad to its first road sweep of the season. She never left the pitch and tallied 180 minutes on defense, while recording three shots. Puchino and the UCCS defense allowed just six shots on goal between the two matches and limited the Dallas Baptist to two shots on frame.
Goalkeeper of the Week: Kayla Caballero, MSU Denver – Fr. – GK – Gilbert, Ariz.
A true freshman goalkeeper, Caballero posted her second shutout in three collegiate contests as MSU Denver played St. Edward's to a scoreless tie on the road. Caballero had 3 saves while improving her goals-against average to 0.29 for the season, which ranks third in the RMAC. She's also fourth in the league with a .917 save percentage and is tied for second in shutouts.