PULLMAN, Wash. - Two weeks into the 2018 season the defense of the Washington State soccer team has made a name for itself as freshman center-back Mykiaa Minniss nabbed the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week award as announced by the conference office Tuesday afternoon. The award marks the second-straight week the Cougars have taken the award as Minniss follows in the footsteps of senior Maddy Haro who garnered the recognition the week prior. For Minniss, the award is the first of her young career as she becomes the first freshman of the season to earn a weekly award in the Pac-12 Conference.
For Minniss, the defensive award comes after a weekend matchup against Minnesota on the road in a game the Cougars' defense overpowered the Gophers' attack allowing just six shots in 90 minutes of action. The Gophers entered the Sunday's game undefeated on the young season having scored five goals in three games before Minniss led the Cougars' defense to their second-straight shutout of the season and second shutout of the Gophers in as many years.
In addition to her defense, Minniss got into the offensive attack as well as the first-year Coug scored her first collegiate goal to seal the victory for WSU late in Sunday's contest. Pressing forward into the Cougars' set piece, Minniss got her head on corner from her defensive teammate, Haro, and bounced it off the turf and into the top of the net to give WSU a two-goal cushion with 14 minutes to play in the game. Not only was the goal the first of Minniss' career, the header marked the first official shot of the freshman's career.
Minniss stepped into the starting center-back role for the Cougars immediately upon arriving in Pullman to replace graduated captain and four-year starter Jordan Branch. In three games, Minniss has not missed one minute playing in all 271 minutes for WSU.
The Cougs and Minniss head back out on the road Friday, Aug. 31 when they travel to Nebraska to take on the Cornhuskers in their lone matchup of the week. The game at Barbara Hibner Stadium is scheduled for 5 p.m. PT.
For Minniss, the defensive award comes after a weekend matchup against Minnesota on the road in a game the Cougars' defense overpowered the Gophers' attack allowing just six shots in 90 minutes of action. The Gophers entered the Sunday's game undefeated on the young season having scored five goals in three games before Minniss led the Cougars' defense to their second-straight shutout of the season and second shutout of the Gophers in as many years.
In addition to her defense, Minniss got into the offensive attack as well as the first-year Coug scored her first collegiate goal to seal the victory for WSU late in Sunday's contest. Pressing forward into the Cougars' set piece, Minniss got her head on corner from her defensive teammate, Haro, and bounced it off the turf and into the top of the net to give WSU a two-goal cushion with 14 minutes to play in the game. Not only was the goal the first of Minniss' career, the header marked the first official shot of the freshman's career.
Minniss stepped into the starting center-back role for the Cougars immediately upon arriving in Pullman to replace graduated captain and four-year starter Jordan Branch. In three games, Minniss has not missed one minute playing in all 271 minutes for WSU.
The Cougs and Minniss head back out on the road Friday, Aug. 31 when they travel to Nebraska to take on the Cornhuskers in their lone matchup of the week. The game at Barbara Hibner Stadium is scheduled for 5 p.m. PT.