American University Women's Soccer Earns Two Patriot League Weekly Awards

Oct. 8, 2007

WASHINGTON - After opening Patriot League play with a 1-0 win over Colgate, American University women's soccer earned two Patriot League weekly awards for the week ending Oct. 7, league officials announced Monday. Friederike Engel was named the Brine Rookie of the Week, with Irene Karistinos earning Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season.

Engel earned Rookie of the Week honors for the first time in her career. In the 1-0 win over Colgate, the freshman midfielder netted the game-winning goal in the 29th minute. After controlling a long ball from Karistinos, Engel remained composed in the box and beat the Raiders' goalkeeper low and to the corner. The goal was the first of Engel's career, leading her to two points on the season.

Anchoring a defense that held Colgate to just three shots on goal, Karistinos was named the Brine Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season and for the second time in her four-year career as an Eagle. The Bethpage, N.Y., native also assisted on the game-winner, sending an indirect kick through the box to Engel. After AU went 2-0 in its opening weekend earlier this season, Karistinos earned player of the week after leading a defense that gave up just one goal in 180 minutes of action. She also tallied the game-winner in American's win over Richmond this same weekend.

American University women's soccer is 7-5-0 overall and 1-0-0 in the Patriot League. The Eagles return to action this weekend, first traveling to Bethlehem, Pa., to face Lehigh University on Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. Just two days later, AU will go head-to-head with Lafayette at 12 p.m.