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Tatiana Ariza named OVC Soccer Offensive Player of the Week

Austin Peay State University GovernorsFreshman Tatiana Ariza, of the Austin Peay State University women’s soccer team, was named Ohio Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week, Tuesday, the conference office announced.

Tatiana ArizaAlthough she missed the season’s first road trip due to playing for the Colombian National Team at the U20 FIFA World Cup, Ariza currently leads the Lady Govs with 10 points (3g, 4a) in only six games played. She also leads the team with three game winners and has scored Austin Peay’s only penalty kick.

“Her impact was obvious on Friday,” head coach Kelley Guth said. “She has brought a fire to the offensive par t of our game. She’s a dangerous player and she works extremely hard. Our team is developing and becoming more comfortable with each game. Our team is starting to flow with her in the mix, better every game.”

Friday, in Austin Peay’s 4-0 win against Southern, Ariza was responsible for all of the Lady Govs’ offense. She scored the game’s opening goal in the 33rd minute and assisted on each of the next three goals. For her efforts, she was named the JSU/Adidas Classic All-Tournament team.

Those assists moved her into the national rankings, making her 20th in total assists. Three assists also currently are the second-best single-game total nationally this season.

This marks the second time this season an Austin Peay player has been named Offensive Player of the Week. Freshman Emily Kink earned the award after scoring two goals in the season-opener at Virginia Military Academy. The Lady Govs did not have a player receive the distinction during the 2009 season.

“It’s an indicator that our team has improved,” Guth said. “We’ve become more effective offensively this year and it’s because we have a number of players that contribute to that threat. We’re much more productive because of that. While Tatiana and Emily have earned the recognition, we have a number of other players who have scored as well.”

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