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Natalia Ariza named OVC Offensive Player of the Week

Austin Peay State University GovernorsClarksville, TN – Natalia Ariza, a freshman midfielder on the Austin Peay State University women’s soccer team, has been named the Ohio Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week, the league office announced Tuesday.

Natalia Ariza Ariza scored the game-winner for the second-straight game and had an assist in the Lady Govs 2-1 non-conference win at SIU Edwardsville. The game-winner came on a penalty kick after she was dragged down inside the box in the 24th minute, while the assist came on Tatiana Ariza’s 16th-minute goal.

“She deserved to take the kick because she was fouled in the box,” head coach Kelley Guth said. “She earned it and it was great to see her score it. We’ve spent a lot of training time working on penalty kicks because we may be in that situation come the conference tournament. It was great for her to step and finish that.”

Entering the final two weeks, Natalia had only two goals and three assists. But as injuries continued to plague the Lady Govs defense, head coach Kelley Guth was forced to move dual-position forwards into the defense, much like freshman Emily Kink and sophomore Laurena Robinson. Those changes have allowed Natalia to become a greater threat inside the box.

“The last two games have been a challenge for us, especially with our injury situation,” Guth said. “The team has really stepped up and Natalia has scored in both of those games. That in itself shows that we have numerous threats, as far as scoring options. This is great recognition for her because she’s been outstanding in the midfield all season.”

Natalia Ariza is the third Lady Govs player to be named OVC Offensive Player of the Week. Kink was the first to earn the honor, August 24th, while Tatiana Ariza picked up the award, September 14th.

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