ECLIPSE SELECT ALUMNI: HERNANDEZ, MICHIGAN HOT START TO 2018 CAMPAIGN
WEEK 1: NCAA Division I programs began their 2018 season with Eclipse players making an impact early
OAK BROOK, ILL. (Aug. 21, 2018) – Eclipse Select Soccer Club players around the country began their 2018 Division I collegiate campaign this past week. The first week the season was littered with top programs going head to head with a number of former Eclipse Select player competing against one another. Here is a rundown of the first-week successes from the club’s alumni.
Hernandez Comes Up Big for Big Blue
Michigan sophomore Nicki Hernandez (Naperville, Ill.) scored the first goal of the season for the Wolverines in a 3-1 opening game win over Boston University Thursday night. Hernandez followed up Thursday’s performance with her first game-winner of the season and an assist against in-state foe, Western Michigan, winning 2-0. The midfielder has tallied a team-high five points in her first two games of the 2018 season.
Sharples Nets Game-Winner
In their opening game at the Hoosier Challenge Cup, senior defender Kayla Sharples (Naperville, Ill.) led Northwestern to a 2-1 victory over Miami (OH). Sharples broke the deadlock with a goal in the 57th minute and then held down the Redhawks offense by not allowing a shot on goal for the remainder of the match, leading the Wildcats to the win.
Goalkeepers Keep Clean Sheets
Eastern Illinois’ senior goalkeeper Sara Teteak (Naperville, Ill.) and Valparaiso’s senior goalkeeper Drew Moulton (Sycamore, Ill.) went the distance playing 110 minutes. Both netminders recorded a clean sheet as the contest ended 0-0 after regulation and two periods of extra time. Teteak recorded six saves on the day as Moulton handled two. Both goalkeepers were credited with their first shutouts of the year. Senior Auburn goalkeeper Sarah Le Beau (Crystal Lake, Ill.) played in net for the Tigers in a 4-0 route versus Samford. Le Beau recorded her 22nd career shutout and her first of 2018 with the win.
May I Assist You?
Duke senior Kayla McCoy (Lincolnwood, Ill.), Illinois State sophomore Natalie Vaughn-Low (DeKalb, Ill.), and Ole Miss sophomore Channing Foster (Murray, Ky.) recorded their first assists of the season in week one. Vaughn-Low’s proved most important as she assisted the game-tying goal in the 79th minute in a 2-2 comeback draw with CSUN.
Freshman Debutants
Four freshmen made their debuts for their respective collegiate program last week. Tennessee midfielder Jamie Goralski (Naperville, Ill.) came on for 19 minutes against Saint John’s and then again for 38 minutes versus George Mason. Amanda Rapaduski (Algonquin, Ill.), a midfielder at Butler, played 42 minutes as a substitute against Kent State. Missouri forward Skylar Kingsley (Naperville, Ill.) played in her first two games recording 24 minutes versus Iowa and then played 58 minutes against Iowa State. Northern Iowa’s Megan Benmore (Naperville, Ill.) was subbed on for 30 minutes in a match-up with South Dakota.