By: Nash Loibl, Director of Strategic Communications and Internal Operations

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. –  The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference announced its Week 5 Women’s Soccer Players of the Week on Tuesday, with Regis University’s Maggie Payne joining Colorado Mesa University’s Ellie Duncan and Olivia Barrett as the latest award winners. Duncan secured the Offensive Player of the Week award, while Barrett claimed her second consecutive Defensive honor and Payne earned the Goalkeeper award.

Offensive
Ellie Duncan, Colorado Mesa (Sophomore, Forward, Montrose, Colo.)
Duncan is the league’s Offensive Player of the Week after helping guide the Colorado Mesa Mavericks to a 2-0 weekend, collecting wins over Fort Lewis College and Western Colorado University. In the Mavs first game of the week, Duncan had three of CMU’s 19 total shots in her 54 minutes of action, as the Mavs defeated the Skyhawks 1-0 at home. After being unable to find the back of the net against Fort Lewis, Duncan exploded for a hat trick against Western Colorado, scoring three goals on six total shots (5 on target) in just 25 minutes of play. Behind her three goals and six overall points, Colorado Mesa defeated Western Colorado 4-0.

Others Nominated: Shay Norden, Adams State; Ivy Agee, Black Hills State; Maleia Dayao, Fort Lewis; Addison Mandeville, MSU Denver; Fernanda Rodriguez, Regis; Elise Broberg, UCCS; Natalie Cardin, Westminster.

Defensive
Olivia Barrett, Colorado Mesa (Junior, Defender, Castle Rock, Colo.)
For the second consecutive week, Barrett earns the Defensive Player of the Week honor, this time after defeating the Skyhawks and Mountaineers. In Friday’s contest against Fort Lewis, the Castle Rock native was instrumental in only allowing FLC to fire eight total shots, with three being on target. With Barrett anchoring the CMU defense, Colorado Mesa defeated Fort Lewis 1-0. She continued to lead the defensive unit in the Mavs second game of the week, this time holding their opponent to three total shots (one on goal), while also collecting an assist in the 46th minute. With Barrett leading the charge, CMU has shut out its last six opponents and currently sits at 6-2 (4-0 RMAC).

Others Nominated: Ashlynn Mustain, Adams State; Zoe Evans, Black Hills State; Natalie Rouse, Colorado School of Mines; Andie Rylance, Regis; Malia Groshong, UCCS.

Goalkeeper
Maggie Payne, Regis (Junior, Goalkeeper, Overland Park, Kan.)
Payne claims the Goalkeeper of the Week award after helping the Rangers secure two wins against Colorado State University Pueblo and Colorado School of Mines. In Regis’ first game of the week against CSU Pueblo, Payne faced three total shots (two on target), deflecting both and holding the ThunderWolves to zero goals on the day. The 3-0 win against CSUP earned her a combined shutout, as she logged 62 minutes in goal. Payne returned to the net on Sunday, when Regis traveled to Golden to play the Orediggers. In 90 minutes of action, the junior was peppered with 20 total shots (11 on goal), making 10 saves in a 2-1 victory for Regis. With only six allowed goals on the season, Payne ranks fifth in the RMAC in goals allowed and goals-against average. 

Others Nominated: Mariely Jimenez, Adams State; Rian Barthel, Black Hills State; Keely Wieczorek, Colorado Mesa; Keira Garcia, Colorado School of Mines; Trinity Lujan, Fort Lewis; Marin Mackenzie, Westminster.

About the RMAC
The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, headquartered in Colorado Springs, is a premier NCAA Division II conference with 15 institutions located in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, and Utah. The RMAC currently competes in 22 NCAA Division II sports and has earned 71 national championships since 1992. Founded in 1909, the RMAC is the most historic athletic conference in the western United States and Division II.