SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – St. Thomas forward Mariah Nguyen and Omaha defender Grace Crockett were named the TicketSmarter Summit League Women’s Soccer Peak Performers of the Week following the opening weekend of the 2023 season. Nguyen collected the offensive accolade, while Crockett earned the defensive honor, league officials announced Monday.
Nguyen helped the Tommies earn the split in a pair of home matches against Northern Iowa and Niagara. After posting three shots on goal in a 1-0 setback to the Panthers, the reigning Summit League Newcomer of the Year notched a hat trick in a 7-0 blanking of the Purple Eagles. The Andover, Minn., native’s first goal of the match came via a penalty shot after she was tackled in the box during the sixth minute of action.
The junior opened the second-half scoring with another penalty kick, this one coming just 54 seconds after the break to put her squad ahead 4-0. Her third goal came just under five minutes later, securing the first hat trick by a Tommie during the program's Division I era (2021-present).
Crockett and the Mavericks opened their season with back-to-back shutouts, posting a 4-0 win against Southern Utah and a scoreless tie against Utah Tech. In the victory over the Thunderbirds, the Omaha, Neb., native notched a career-high two assists. She earned the secondary assist off a corner kick on the Mavericks’ first goal and eventual game winner and assisted on Omaha’s third goal via another corner kick.
Crockett and the Omaha defense allowed just seven shots on goal in the two combined victories and are one of two league teams that have yet to allow a goal this season.
OFFENSIVE PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Mariah Nguyen, St. Thomas
Jr. | F | Andover, Minn.
- Recorded a hat trick in a 7-0 win against Niagara
- Opened her hat trick with a penalty kick goal in the fifth minute of the match
- Scored her second goal 54 seconds into the second half and notched her third goal in the 51st minute
- This is the first career Summit League weekly honor for Nguyen
Also nominated: Samantha Guzman (Oral Roberts), Camryn MacMillan (Denver), Maya Hansen (South Dakota State), Tyreese Zacher (North Dakota State), Shaylee Gailus (South Dakota), Allison Rapaduski (North Dakota), Sophia Green (Omaha), Anna Jennings (Kansas City).
DEFENSIVE PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Grace Crockett, Omaha
Sr. | D | Omaha, Neb.
- Led a Maverick defense that posted back-to-back shutouts and allowed only seven combined shots on goal in the two matches
- Notched a career-high two assists in the season opening win against Southern Utah
- Earned both assists off corner kicks
- This is the first career Summit League weekly accolade for Crockett
Also nominated: Elle Abbey (Oral Roberts), Hannah Gallegos (Denver), Lauren Eckerle (South Dakota State), Amaya Garrett (North Dakota State), Taylor Ravelo (South Dakota), Olivia Rowe (St. Thomas), Madi Livingston (North Dakota), Riley Moore (Kansas City).
2023 Women’s Soccer Peak Performers of the Week
August 21
O: Mariah Nguyen, St. Thomas
D: Grace Crockett, Omaha
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