By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – After playing a pivotal role in the Tennessee Tech soccer team's perfect weekend, senior Karigan Owens has been named the adidas® Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week. Owens, who was awarded the accolade Tuesday afternoon, collected a combined three assists in wins over Belmont and Austin Peay, while also playing in all 180 minutes and helping guide a Tech defense that allowed one goal in each match.
This marks the fourth weekly conference honor in the La Grange, Ky. native's career after taking home three such awards in 2016. It's also Tech's second OVC weekly accolade this season, following a Kari Naerdemann Goalkeeper of the Week honor on Aug. 22.
Owens helped get the Golden Eagles (6-4-1, 3-1-1) off to a promising start in the club's first match over the weekend, assisting on a Mayra Tarraga Manzanal goal just four and a half minutes into Friday night's tilt at Belmont. Tech's 2-1 win over the Bruins marked the first time all season in which the Golden Eagles scored more than one goal in a match.
Owens was at it again Sunday night in TTU's 2-1 nod over Austin Peay, assisting on both Tech scores to help push the squad's unbeaten streak to four straight.
With her three assists over the weekend, the 5-foot-9 senior moved into a tie with TTU Hall of Famer Jill Burns for third most on the program's all-time career list with 16.
The Golden Eagles are on the road for the final time in the regular season over the weekend. Tech will be at SIUE Friday, Oct. 6 for a 7 p.m. CT first kick with the Cougars, before heading to Eastern Illinois Sunday, Oct. 8 for a 1 p.m. clash with the Panthers.
Photo by Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information