SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Denver’s Natalie Beckman and South Dakota’s Emma Harkleroad were both key figures through the third week of the women’s soccer season and they were honored by being named the TicketSmarter Summit League Women’s Soccer Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, league officials announced Tuesday.
 
Beckman got off to a strong start for Denver, scoring a goal in the 21^st-minute of action and assisted on the second goal of the match 10 minutes later in a 3-1 triumph over Kansas State in what was the Pioneers fourth-straight victory to open the season. The Denver, Colo., native helped the Pioneers secure its second win of the season against a Power 5 opponent.
 
In Denver’s fifth-straight home match of the season, Beckman assisted on the Pioneers’ first goal of a 4-2 loss to SMU and is now two assists away for third on Denver’s all-time list in that category.
 
Harkleroad started her week with a shutout against host Creighton where she faced 29 shots and recorded 10 saves between the pipes in a 0-0 draw. The Geneva, Ill., native locked down the goal once again recording four saves on 11 shots in a 1-0 win at Northern Iowa.
 
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Natalie Beckman, Denver
Sr. | F | Denver, Colo.

• Racked up a league-high four points on the weekend, scoring a goal and tallying two assists for the Pioneers
• Scored a goal and posted an assist in the opening 30 minutes in the Pioneers’ 3-1 win over Kansas State and assisted in Denver’s first goal in a 4-2 loss to SMU
• This is the fifth career Summit League weekly accolade for Beckman

Also nominated: Olivia Watson (North Dakota State), Sophia Green (Omaha), Kassi Ginther (Kansas City), Pamela Caballeros (Oral Roberts)
 
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Emma Harkleroad, South Dakota
Sr. | GK | Geneva, Ill.

• Notched two-straight shutouts against Creighton and Northern Iowa in a 1-0-1 weekend for the Coyotes
• Recorded 10 saves, facing 29 shots in a 0-0 draw at Creighton and tallied four saves in a 1-0 victory at Northern Iowa
• This is the second career Summit League weekly award for Harkleroad

Also nominated: Sofia Howe (North Dakota State), Regan Zimmers (Omaha), Emma Wilson (Kansas City), Michele Bonifacio (Oral Roberts)
 
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

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