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 Freshman Shannon Fowkes was named the Southern Conference Women's Soccer Player of the Week today after scoring three goals, including two game winners, last week. |
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Oct. 10, 2006
Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina freshman forward Shannon Fowkes was today tabbed as the Southern Conference Women's Soccer Player of the Week for the week of October 10, as announced by the league office. Fowkes led the Catamounts to a perfect 2-0 record on the week, recording three goals, including two game winners.
Fowkes becomes just the fourth Catamount women's soccer player in the program's eight-year history to be honored by the league office with the weekly award. She joins last year's selection, Casey Davis, Jordan Howell in 2001, and Natasha Moore in 2002 as the only other Catamount weekly honorees.
The Smithsburg, Md., native tallied her first collegiate career goal at the 51:32 mark in the second half last Thursday at Appalachian State, cutting the Mountaineers two-goal advantage in half. Fowkes collected a pass from her classmate, Shanna Schmoker, from the far wing and was able to maneuver past the keeper in the box for WCU's first goal of the match. Tied at two, Fowkes provided the first multi-goal game of her career by scoring the game-winner in a scramble in front of the Mountaineer cage with 13 seconds showing on the game clock.
In Sunday's 6-0 rout of The Citadel, Fowkes continued her rampant goal-scoring pace tallying her third goal of the week midway through the first half. The rookie dribbled around a Bulldog defender and fired a shot into the upper left corner of the net for the unassisted score at the 31:50 mark of the first half. As it turned out, Fowkes' goal was the game-winner as Western tallied its second shutout victory of the year.
After last week, Fowkes now ranks second on the Catamount team in goals scored, tied with sophomore Buki Baruwa and classmate, Bri Cunningham, with three. Her two game-winning tallies also ranks her tied for the team lead with juniors Heather Dittmer and Lauren Atkinson, while also ranking tied for first with 11 others in the SoCon.
Western Carolina returns to action this Friday, Oct. 13, as it hosts the College of Charleston in a match that is shaping up to be a battle of the number three and four teams in the SoCon. Kickoff on Friday night is set for 7:00 pm.
Following the match, Western will hold its Spirit Night festivities at the Catamount Athletic Complex as a part of Homecoming Week. The Pride of the Mountains Marching Band, Catamount football team, Dance Team and Cheerleaders will all be on hand, with the evening capped off with a fireworks display. Admission to the evening of activities is FREE to everyone.
