Goddard Earns Player of the Week

USL News Release - www.uslsoccer.com

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

TAMPA, Fla. – United Soccer Leagues announced the W-League Team of the Week today, with Virginia Beach’s Steffi Goddard earning Player of the Week honors. Goddard hit Fredericksburg for three goals this past Saturday to help the Piranhas to a 5-4 victory, their first of the season.

With Virginia Beach trailing 2-1 at half time, Goddard struck in the 50th and 54th minutes to give the Piranhas a 3-2 lead. Fredericksburg responded with two of their own, but Virginia Beach pulled one back before Goddard put her boot on a through ball in the 90th minute and buried it for a 5-4 victory.

Goddard’s last-gasp goal was not a surprise to her club. That effort has been her hallmark all season, as her hard work and dedication to the club has shown through.

“Steffi just goes 100 percent every training every practice session,” Piranhas President Marcie Laumann said. “I think it really just shows on the field, her leadership skills and how she can just step in and take control of the game singlehandedly.”

Goals came in bunches for the Team of the Week with Christine Nairn, Joelle Gosselin, Edite Fernandes, and Shonel Archer all having two-goal performances.

The week featured plenty of great defense as well, starting with the Colorado Force’s Hannah Clark backstopping her side to a clean sheet win. Defenders Briana Hovington and Lydia Hastings also led their backlines to clean sheets.