Zallis Named Big Sky Soccer Offensive Player of the Week

OGDEN, Utah - Sophomore midfielder Lauren Zallis scored twice against Southern Utah on Sunday, leading Northern Arizona to a 2-0 win and earning Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week Honors. The award was the first for Zallis, who doubled her career scoring total in Sunday's victory.

The Big Sky Conference announced the awards on Monday, with Portland State goalkeeper Cris Lewis earning the Defensive Player of the Week award.

Zallis led the Lumberjacks to their first victory of the 2009 season with her effort on Sunday. In the 14th minute in Cedar City, Junior Brenna Boies broke down the left side of the box and sent a strong feed into the goal mouth. Zallis was in position for the redirect, pushing the ball past SUU goalkeeper Charly Booth into the left side of the net.

Less than three minutes later, Zallis struck again. Boies was fouled hard just above the 18-yard box, and Zallis stepped up for the ensuing direct free kick. The sophomore blasted a perfect shot off the bottom of the crossbar, dropping it over the right side of the goal line to give the Lumberjacks an early 2-0 lead.

Lewis, a senior from Burien, Wash., continued her assault on the Portland State record books this weekend, by collecting nine saves in her 10th career shutout. The 1-0 victory over Oregon State puts her three wins away from taking over the top spot in Viking history. Lewis preserved the one goal advantage with two big saves in the final two minutes. It was Portland State’s first victory over a Pac-10 opponent since 2004, when they beat Oregon State by the same score. Lewis also tallied two saves in a loss to Boise State on Sunday.

The Lumberjacks return to action on Friday, hosting Arizona in Lumberjack Stadium at 7 p.m.

Others Nominated

Offense: Ashley Jones - Idaho State, Dolly Enneking - Portland State, Elece McBride - Sacramento State

Defense: Karissa Henaga - Idaho State, Natasha Slaughter - Northern Arizona