Lady Jackets Sweep Soccer POTW Awards (10/11/05)

BILLINGS, MT – Montana State-Billings swept this week’s Heartland Conference women’s soccer player of the week awards with Yellowjackets receiving offensive and defensive honors.  Brittney Sandau was named the offensive player of the week while Mandy Ploskonka was the defensive player of the week.  MSU Billings has now had seven HLC players of the week this season, their first in the Heartland.

Sandau, a sophomore midfielder from Billings, scored two goals last Thursday to lead MSU Billings to a 5-1 win over Dallas Baptist.  Sandau scored the eventual game-winner just before halftime and added an insurance goal in the second half.  For the season Sandau currently ranks fourth in the Heartland Conference for points (17) and points per game (1.55).  She is also tied for second for goals (8), and goals per game (0.73) and tied for first for game winning goals (3).

Ploskonka, a freshman defensive midfielder from Federal Way, WA, helped anchor the Yellowjacket defense in its 5-1 win over Dallas Baptist.  MSU Billings defenders limited the Patriots to just four total shots in the game.  DBU’s only goal came late in the contest when the outcome was already decided.  In addition to playing a solid game on the defensive end, Ploskonka also scored a goal, her second of the season.  for the season the MSU Billings defense ranks first in the Heartland Conference for goals against average (0.89) and first for shutouts with five.

MSU Billings plays two non-conference games this week, hosting Rocky Mountain College on Wednesday and Carroll College on Saturday.  They return to conference and regional action next week with a three-game swing through Texas.