SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Kansas City forward Adriana Benassi and Oral Roberts goalkeeper Alexa Riefer were named the Summit League Women’s Soccer Peak Performers of the Week following the final week of non-conference play. Benassi collected the offensive accolade, while Riefer earned the defensive honor, league officials announced Monday.
Benassi scored two goals within six minutes of each other late in the first half of the Roo’s 4-1 victory over Northern Colorado. The Lee’s Summit, Mo., native has made a big impact this season as she became the first Roo with a pair of multi-goal games in a season since 2018.
Benassi’s second brace of the season helped the Roos earn the most goals in a match during Jess Smith’s four-plus seasons as the program’s head coach. Benassi now shares the team lead with nine points.
Riefer helped ORU push its winning streak to three straight following a 4-1 victory at Abilene Christian. The junior made five saves in her 90-minute appearance, pushing her league-leading total in that category to 53, which also ranks among the top 25 nationally.
After yielding a goal in the 19
th minute, Riefer turned away the next four shots on goal by the Wildcats to preserve the win and get ORU to the .500 mark at 5-5-1 going into league play.
OFFENSIVE PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Adriana Benassi, Kansas City
Fr. | F | Lee’s Summit, Mo.
- First Roo to have two multi-goal games in a season since 2018.
- Earned second career brace during the Roos’ 4-1 win over Northern Colorado.
- This is the first career Summit League weekly honor for Benassi.
Also nominated: Madalyn Grate (North Dakota State), Kennedy Langebartels (Oral Roberts), and Hailee Christensen (South Dakota State).
DEFENSIVE PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Alexa Riefer, Oral Roberts
Jr. | GK | Corona, Calif.
- Made five saves in the Golden Eagles’ 4-1 victory at Abilene Christian.
- Now has a season total of 53 saves to lead all Summit League goalkeepers and ranks 23rd in the nation.
- This is the first career Summit League weekly honor for Riefer.
Also nominated: Sophia Limongi (Kansas City), Payton Mulberry (North Dakota State), and Stephanie Leckwold (South Dakota State).
2024 Women’s Soccer Peak Performers of the Week
August 19
O: Ashley Koch, Kansas City
D: Maddie Sibbing, Kansas City
August 26
O: Michaela McGowan, Denver
D: Katherine Jones, South Dakota
September 3
O: Lexi Huber, St. Thomas
D: Emma Thielbahr, Denver
September 9
O: Madison Page, Kansas City
D: Mia Reedtz Rehde Olesen, Omaha
September 16
O: Julia Thasaphong, Oral Roberts
D: Regan Zimmers, Omaha
September 23
O: Adriana Benassi, Kansas City
D: Alexa Riefer, Oral Roberts
#SummitWSOC
