WSOC | Gaels Sweep WCC Awards with Program Record Seven Straight Shutouts
9/7/2026 2:03:00 PM | Women's Soccer
SAN BRUNO, Calif. - The Saint Mary's women's soccer team has proven to be one of the best defensive teams in the country over the first month of the season. After another unbeaten week, they took home some hardware and swept the West Coast Conference Player of the Week awards with true freshman Brianna Jurasek being named Offensive Player of the Week and senior Anna Emperador earning Defensive Player of the Week.
Jurasek scored the game-winner for the Gaels on Sunday with a header goal in the 87th minute to seal a 1-0 victory over Northern Arizona. Jurasek has been a much needed spark off the bench for the Gaels and is now tied for the team lead with three goals on the season. She finished Sunday's match with 47 minutes played and four shot attempts in the one-goal victory.
Senior center back Anna Emperador has been the literal definition of a rock for the Gaels' backline this season. The Berkeley native hasn't missed a step after missing the entire 2025 season due to a knee injury and has started all seven games this season. Emperador put together back-to-back 90-minute performances this week and helped extend Saint Mary's shutout streak to a program record seven games. The Gaels remain one of just three teams in the entire country to have not allowed a goal this season.
This is the third consecutive week Saint Mary's has claimed the WCC's Defensive Player of the Week honor and the program's first offensive award winner of the season.
Saint Mary's will conclude its non-conference schedule on the road, traveling to Sacramento State and San Jose State this week before heading to Logan, Utah on September 20 to take on Utah State.
Be sure to follow your Gaels on Facebook, Instagram, and X to get all the latest Saint Mary's athletics updates and information.
#GaelsRise
Jurasek scored the game-winner for the Gaels on Sunday with a header goal in the 87th minute to seal a 1-0 victory over Northern Arizona. Jurasek has been a much needed spark off the bench for the Gaels and is now tied for the team lead with three goals on the season. She finished Sunday's match with 47 minutes played and four shot attempts in the one-goal victory.
Senior center back Anna Emperador has been the literal definition of a rock for the Gaels' backline this season. The Berkeley native hasn't missed a step after missing the entire 2025 season due to a knee injury and has started all seven games this season. Emperador put together back-to-back 90-minute performances this week and helped extend Saint Mary's shutout streak to a program record seven games. The Gaels remain one of just three teams in the entire country to have not allowed a goal this season.
This is the third consecutive week Saint Mary's has claimed the WCC's Defensive Player of the Week honor and the program's first offensive award winner of the season.
Saint Mary's will conclude its non-conference schedule on the road, traveling to Sacramento State and San Jose State this week before heading to Logan, Utah on September 20 to take on Utah State.
Be sure to follow your Gaels on Facebook, Instagram, and X to get all the latest Saint Mary's athletics updates and information.
#GaelsRise
Players Mentioned
D
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's SoccerSunday, September 06
Thursday, September 03
Monday, August 31
Sunday, August 30
