Galassini, Krzeczowski Grab SEC Player of the Week Laurels
Sept. 5, 2017
United Soccer Coaches Top-25 Poll
COLUMBIA, S.C. ââ’¬” South Carolina freshman midfielder Bianca Galassini and sophomore goalkeeper Mikayla Krzeczowski each received SEC Player of the Week honors, the league announced Tuesday afternoon. Galassini was tabbed the conference’s Freshman of the Week, while Krzeczowski was selected as the Defensive Player of the Week.
Tuesday’s accolade marks the first weekly award for Galassini, who netted a pair of goals in Carolina’s neutral site win over No. 23 Michigan this past Sunday. Krzeczowski, a 2016 All-SEC First-Team selection, received a weekly conference honor for the third time in her career.
Galassini sparked Carolina’s 2-1 come-from-behind victory over the Wolverines this past weekend, tallying two second-half goals in six minutes. The Frankfort, Ill., native’s first career tally in the 54th minute evened the score at 1-1, and the Gamecocks pulled ahead shortly after when the midfielder again scored from inside the box. Galassini, one of five Gamecock freshmen to register a goal in 2017, joined senior striker Savannah McCaskill on the list of Carolina players to boast a multi-goal game this season.
Krzeczowski shined in net in Carolina’s 1-0 overtime win over Notre Dame last Friday after totaling a career-high nine saves. The performance came against an Irish squad that has averaged 2.67 goals per match in their other three home contests this year. Krzeczowski, who sports three clean sheets on the year, added four more saves in Carolina’s 2-1 win over the Wolverines on Sunday to help the Gamecocks earn their first victory against a ranked foe in 2017.
Following its 2-0 weekend in South Bend, Ind., South Carolina (5-1-0) moved back into the top-10 in Tuesday’s United Soccer Coaches Poll. The Gamecocks, who climbed to the No. 7 spot, have been ranked inside the top-10 in three of the poll’s first four installments this fall.
Carolina returns to action on Fri, Sept. 8, on the road against No. 4 Clemson. Friday’s top-10 battle at Riggs Field kicks off at 7 p.m. ET. This week will mark the first time the two in-state rivals face one another with both teams ranked in the top-10.
