Calumet College of St. Joseph's Rebecca Berry (Bendingo, Victoria, Australia) made quite the impression in her first week of college soccer, while Olivet Nazarene University's Kara Huber (Grand Blanc, Mich.) sparked a Tiger defense that allowed just one goal over two games as the pair came away as the recipients of the first 2014 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference women's soccer weekly honors, it was announced on Wednesday morning.
Berry, the CCAC Offensive Player of the Week, was named the Crimson Wave Soccer Invitational Most Valuable Player after leading the hosts to the invite title with a pair of goals and one assist. The freshman forward tallied a goal and an assist in a 5-1 victory over St. Mary of the Woods College (Ind.) on Friday before adding a single tally in a 3-2 win over Clarke University (Iowa) on Saturday to claim the invitational.
Huber, a sophomore defender, anchored an Olivet Nazarene defense that went 1-0-1 on the week, including a 2-1 win Friday over Grace College (Ind.), which was among others receiving votes in the preseason NAIA rankings. The Tigers then tied Taylor University (Ind.) on Saturday, 0-0.
Over the two games, Huber and her defensive unit limited the opposition to just 13 shots on goal with 12 saves leading to her being named the CCAC Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week.
Olivet Nazarene is ranked No. 16 in the NAIA Preseason Coaches' Poll.
Other Offensive Nominees: Samantha Yasatan (Trinity International), Elisabeth Wahl (Olivet Nazarene), Monica Chavolla (Saint Xavier), Alex Truhlar (Lindenwood-Belleville).
Other Defensive Nominees: Amy Gasiorowski (Calumet St. Joseph), Danielle Koncius (Saint Xavier).