Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner
WSOC | Taylor Poland Named WCC Defensive Player of the Week
8/22/2022 12:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
San Mateo, Calif. – Taylor Poland has been named West Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Week for recording six saves and a clean sheet in the Gaels first two games of the season.
Poland started off strong in the Gaels home-opener against Cal Poly, recording four saves. She was kept busy throughout the game, and her most important save came in the 83rd minute, after a couple of deflections bounced the ball right in front of Poland's goal. She immediately smothered the ball before any Mustangs could reach it, dashing any hopes of a Cal Poly comeback.
Poland was once again busy in the Gaels second game of the season against UC Santa Barbara. After Emily Jensen scored six minutes into the game, Saint Mary's were pushed back into their own half, where they continually pressured Poland's goal. The junior keeper was unfazed, even after having to make a few tense saves in the remaining minutes of the game. The win against UC Santa Barbara was Poland's 12th clean sheet in her Saint Mary's career.
Poland's award marks the first time a Gael has won a WCC Player of the Week Award since Emily Jensen won Offensive Player of the Week on April 20th, 2021 for her two-goal effort against Loyola Marymount. This also marks the first time a Gael has ever won a Defensive Player of the Week Award from the conference.
The Gaels are 2-0 on the season, and they'll put their perfect record on the line this Thursday at 4 pm when the Cal Bears come to Saint Mary's Stadium.
#GaelsRise
Poland started off strong in the Gaels home-opener against Cal Poly, recording four saves. She was kept busy throughout the game, and her most important save came in the 83rd minute, after a couple of deflections bounced the ball right in front of Poland's goal. She immediately smothered the ball before any Mustangs could reach it, dashing any hopes of a Cal Poly comeback.
Poland was once again busy in the Gaels second game of the season against UC Santa Barbara. After Emily Jensen scored six minutes into the game, Saint Mary's were pushed back into their own half, where they continually pressured Poland's goal. The junior keeper was unfazed, even after having to make a few tense saves in the remaining minutes of the game. The win against UC Santa Barbara was Poland's 12th clean sheet in her Saint Mary's career.
Poland's award marks the first time a Gael has won a WCC Player of the Week Award since Emily Jensen won Offensive Player of the Week on April 20th, 2021 for her two-goal effort against Loyola Marymount. This also marks the first time a Gael has ever won a Defensive Player of the Week Award from the conference.
The Gaels are 2-0 on the season, and they'll put their perfect record on the line this Thursday at 4 pm when the Cal Bears come to Saint Mary's Stadium.
#GaelsRise
Players Mentioned
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