CLEVELAND – App State junior Sophia Baxter has been named the MAC Defensive Player of the Week for the third time this season, the conference announced Tuesday. This honor establishes a new program record for the most MAC Player of the Week awards earned by a single player in one field hockey season.
The honor follows an impressive weekend in Michigan where Baxter anchored a defense that allowed only one goal across two games against Central Michigan and Michigan State.
Against Central Michigan, Baxter was a two-way force, scoring her ninth goal of the season. Her defensive efforts also limited the Chippewas to just three shots for the entire game.
In the 3-1 win over Michigan State, Baxter once again contributed on both sides of the field, finding the back of the cage for her third game-winning goal and 10th overall this season, propelling the Mountaineers to their first win against a Big Ten opponent in program history.
Baxter previously earned honors after her performances against Davidson on Sept. 9 and against Bellarmine and No. 18 James Madison on Sept. 30.
The Mountaineers (10-3, 4-1 MAC) will look to remain in the win column when they take on the Longwood Lancers on Friday. First touch in Farmville, Virginia, is slated for 2 p.m., streaming on ESPN+.
