SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Oral Roberts midfielder Samantha Guzman and North Dakota goalkeeper Grace Miller were named the Summit League Women’s Soccer Peak Performers of the Week following the first week of league play. Guzman collected the offensive accolade, while Miller earned the defensive honor, league officials announced Monday.
Guzman accounted for all three of the Golden Eagles’s goals as they went 1-0-1 to start league play. The senior logged her second career brace in ORU’s first matchup against the Fighting Hawks, which concluded in a 2-2 draw at home.
Trailing 2-0 with under five minutes to play, the Oklahoma native scored her first goal in the 87
th minute, then added the equalizer with a penalty kick in the 89
th minute to secure the tie.
Guzman scored her first game-winner of the season on Sunday in a road win at St. Thomas. Guzman’s goal against the Tommies was her fifth of the season overall, giving her a share of the league lead.
Miller put on a show during her first two appearances in Summit League action, finishing the weekend with 19 saves as North Dakota earned a pair of draws on the road. The freshman keeper made a career-high saves of 11 in the 2-2 draw at Oral Roberts as she finished with double-digit saves for the second time this season.
The San Diego native logged her first career shutout in Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Denver. Miller added eight saves to her weekend total as the Fighting Hawks held the Pioneers scoreless for the first time in series history.
OFFENSIVE PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Samantha Guzman, Oral Roberts
Sr. | MF | Oklahoma City, Okla.
- Earned second career brace in the Golden Eagles last minute comeback against the Fighting Hawks, scoring goals in the 87th and 89th minutes.
- Secured her first game-winner of the season in the 1-0 win over St. Thomas
- This is the first career Summit League weekly honor for Guzman.
Also nominated: Megan Murray (Denver), Kayda Kamolz (Kansas City), Morgan Russmann (North Dakota State), and Laney Murdzek (South Dakota State).
DEFENSIVE PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Grace Miller, North Dakota
Fr. | GK | San Diego, Calif.
- Logged first career shutout, making eight saves in the Fighting Hawks’ 0-0 draw with the Pioneers.
- Added a career-high 11 saves in 2-2 draw with Oral Roberts
- This is the first career Summit League weekly honor for Miller.
Also nominated: Addisyn Hyrup (Denver), Kinsley Smith (Kansas City), Payton Mulberry (North Dakota State), Alexa Riefer (Oral Roberts), and Lauren Eckerle (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 State
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
September 30
O: Samantha Guzman, Oral Roberts
D: Grace Miller, North Dakota
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