SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Denver junior forward Sydney Sharp and South Dakota senior goalkeeper Emma Harkleroad were named this week’s TicketSmarter Summit League Women’s Soccer Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, league officials announced on Monday.
 
Sharp and the Pioneers opened their home portion of league play with a pair of victories against Kansas City, 6-1, and Oral Roberts, 2-0. Sharp notched both game-winning goals to keep DU perfect in Summit League play.
 
The Palos Verdes Estates, Calif., native got her weekend started with the game-winner in the 41^st-minute of action against the Roos that started a stretch of three goals for the Pioneers in the final five minutes of the first half. Against the Golden Eagles, Sharp recorded her 11^th goal of the season in the 53^rd-minute of play. In all, Sharp has scored in six-straight matches and 11 of the 15 matches this season.
 
Harkleroad received her second defensive nod of the season after recording back-to-back shutouts on the weekend in a 1-0-win against North Dakota and a 5-0 triumph over and North Dakota State. Against the Fighting Hawks, the Geneva, Ill., native recorded four saves, including two in each half, and against the Bison, the graduate student made three saves to preserve the shutout.
 
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Sydney Sharp, Denver
Jr. | F | Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.

• Scored game-winning goals in both of DU’s home victories against Kansas City and Oral Roberts to keep the Pioneers perfect in Summit League play
• Has now scored in six-straight matches and 11 of the last 15 this season
• This is the second straight and third career Summit League weekly honor for Sharp

Also nominated: Jordan Centineo (South Dakota); Maya Hansen (South Dakota State); Marli Bertagnoli (St. Thomas); Kassi Ginther (Kansas City)
 
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Emma Harkleroad, South Dakota
Gr. | GK | Geneva, Ill.

• Recorded back-to-back shutouts in wins over North Dakota and North Dakota State
• Logged four saves against UND and three against NDSU
• This is the third career Summit League weekly award for Harkleroad

Also nominated: Devan McSwain (Denver); Jocelyn Tanner (South Dakota State); Mackenzie Caldwell (Kansas City); Olivia Graupmann (St. Thomas)
 
2021 Women’s Soccer Players of the Week
August 23
O: Maya Hansen, South Dakota State
D: Nerea Arrazola, Denver
 
August 30
O: Amy Andrews, Western Illinois
D: Olivia Graupmann, St. Thomas
 
September 7
O: Natalie Beckman, Denver
D: Emma Harkleroad, South Dakota
 
September 13
O: Amy Andrews, Western Illinois
D: Mia Reedtz Rehde Olesen, Omaha
 
September 20
O: Alexis Mitchell, South Dakota
D: Rachel Preston, South Dakota State
 
September 27
O: Eden Brooker, South Dakota State
D: Jocelyn Tanner, South Dakota State
 
October 4
O: Emma Wilson, Kansas City
D: Mackenzie Caldwell, Kansas City
 
October 11
O: Sydney Sharp, Denver
D: Louisa Ramsauer, Oral Roberts
 
October 18
O: Sydney Sharp, Denver
D: Emma Harkleroad, South Dakota
 
#SummitWSOC