SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – South Dakota State midfielder Avery Murdzek and St. Thomas goalkeeper Olivia Rowe were named the latest TicketSmarter Summit League Women’s Soccer Peak Performers of the Week. Murdzek received the offensive honor, while Rowe earned the defensive award, league officials announced on Monday.
 
Murdzek led the Jackrabbits to a pair of victories and, in doing so, improved SDSU’s record to 4-0 this season. In a 2-1 road win against Drake, the junior put the Jackrabbits up 2-1 with the game-winning goal in the 78^th minute.

After entering the second half trailing 1-0 in a home match against Iowa State, the Hudson, Wis., native tied the match with a goal in the 71^st minute. In total, Murdzek produced four points, recorded six shots with three on goal and played 161 minutes in the two wins.
 
Rowe guided the Tommies to a 1-0-1 ledger and played all 180 minutes, while stopping a total of 12 shots during a pair of shutouts. Against Portland State, the Ramsey, Minn., native made a career-high nine saves in a 4-0 victory that saw the Tommies' offense strike four times in the second half.
 
Rowe followed up that performance with her second straight shutout in a scoreless draw with Western Oregon. The junior goalkeeper made three stops against the Wolves and has not allowed a goal in 305 minutes stretching back to the season opener.

OFFENSIVE PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Avery Murdzek, South Dakota State
Jr. | MF | Hudson, Wis.

• Scored a goal in both of SDSU’s wins last week
• Notched the eventual game-winning goal in the 78^th minute against Drake
• Tied the match with a goal against Iowa State in the 71^st minute
• This is the first career Summit League weekly award for Murdzek

Also nominated: Liv Moritz (Denver), Kayda Kamolz (Kansas City), Ashby Johnston (South Dakota), Carty Kingsbury (Oral Roberts), Olivia Watson (North Dakota State), Allison Rapaduski (North Dakota).
 
DEFENSIVE PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Olivia Rowe, St. Thomas
Jr. | GK | Ramsey, Minn.

• Combined for 12 saves in a pair of shutouts for the Tommies
• Made a career-high nine saves in a win against Portland State and three in a scoreless draw against Western Oregon
• This is the first career Summit League weekly honor for Rowe

Also nominated: Hannah Gallegos (Denver), Kaycee Manding (South Dakota State), Taylor Ravelo (South Dakota), Gabrielle Abbey (Oral Roberts), Mary Gasaway (North Dakota).
 
2023 Women’s Soccer Peak Performers of the Week
August 21
O: Mariah Nguyen, St. Thomas
D: Grace Crockett, Omaha
 
August 28
O: Avery Murdzek South Dakota State
D: Olivia Rowe, St. Thomas

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