EDMOND - Oklahoma Christian senior defender Zoe Walker was named the Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced Monday.
Walker, an interdisciplinary studies major from Norman, started both of the Eagles' matches last week and played all 90 minutes in each as OC went 1-0-1. OC beat UT Dallas 2-1 on Wednesday and tied No. 1 DBU 0-0 on Saturday in Dallas, extending its unbeaten run to seven matches.
Saturday's draw was the first time any team had kept DBU off the scoreboard this season. The Patriots entered averaging 3.6 goals per game and finished with 14 shots and 13 corner kicks, but Walker and the Eagles' back line, with goalkeeper Breanna Wooten, kept all of them from going in. Wooten made four saves, and the only goal OC allowed all week was a penalty kick against UT Dallas. The Eagles have allowed just two goals over their seven-match unbeaten stretch.
Walker has also scored one goal and added one assist this season.
It is Walker's first LSC weekly honor and OC's third this season, joining Wooten (Goalkeeper, Sept. 28) and Caid Jefferson (Offensive, Oct. 19).
PLAYOFF PICTURE
The Eagles are 11-4-2 overall and 8-3-2 in LSC play, fourth in the conference standings with 26 points. The top eight teams by points qualify for the LSC Tournament, and OC has clinched a spot.
OC closes the regular season Tuesday at West Texas A&M at 7 p.m. CT. The top three teams (DBU with 35 points, Texas Woman's and Midwestern State with 32 each) are out of reach, so the Eagles will finish fourth or fifth. UT Tyler is two points back with 24 and hosts UT Dallas at 6 p.m. Tuesday. A win at West Texas A&M clinches the No. 4 seed for OC, which would host the No. 5 seed in the quarterfinals. If the Eagles draw, UT Tyler can tie them with a win. If they lose, UT Tyler passes them with a win.
The tournament begins Friday, Oct. 30, with the No. 8 seed at No. 7. The quarterfinals are Monday, Nov. 2, at the higher seeds, with the No. 4 seed hosting No. 5. The semifinals (Nov. 5) and championship (Nov. 8) are hosted by the No. 1 seed.
