Sun Belt Conference Soccer Weekly Release

NEW ORLEANS – After scoring the game-winning goal in North Texas’ 2-1 victory Friday night, freshman Karla Pineda was named Sun Belt Conference Soccer Offensive Player of the Week. FIU redshirt-junior Kaitlyn Savage earned SBC Defensive Player of the Week after posting a 94.1 save percentage, the league office announced Tuesday.

Pineda, a native of Houston, Texas, knocked in the game-winner against Florida Atlantic in the 79th minute. The midfielder also scored the final goal in NT’s match on Sunday against FIU to tie it up in the 63rd minute.

On the season, the freshman ranks second in the league in assists during conference matches with 18. She places fourth in the SBC in shots (22) and points (18) and leads the Mean Green in nearly every offensive category.

Pineda will look to keep the shots coming this weekend as North Texas hits the road for games at Arkansas State on Friday and UALR on Sunday.

Savage, from Fox Island, Wash., compiled a career-high 16 saves en route to a 1-1 draw against North Texas. The goalkeeper came up big for the Panthers in net, keeping FIU in four place in the SBC standings and just eight points behind first-place Middle Tennessee.

On the year, Savage holds a .857 save percentage in conference matches and ranks second in the league. Her two shutouts and 30 saves (6.00 s/g) both rank fourth in the SBC.

Savage will look to keep the door shut this weekend as FIU hosts Louisiana-Lafayette on Friday and Louisiana-Monroe on Sunday.

Check out www.sunbeltsports.org throughout the week for updated SBC soccer news, stats and scores.