Graefen Named Iowa Conference Performer of the Week
Oct 29, 2013 | J.Crane
CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - The Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) announced today that Central soccer player Alayna Bailey and Simpson football player Taylor Nelson have been named IIAC Athletes of the Week for the week ending Sunday, October 27, 2013. The Conference also announced Performers of the Week in four fall sports plus men's and women's swimming and diving.
University of Dubuque junior Kelsey Graefen (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield Central) was named IIAC Women’s Soccer (Defensive) Performer of the Week. Graefen scored the game winner on a header in the 71st minute against Carthage snapping a five game winning streak for the Lady Reds. She played all 90 minutes of the 1-0 victory, as UD held Carthage to five shots on goal. Graefen finished the week with an assist in the Spartans 6-0 win against Buena Vista. UD held BVU to one shot on goal.
Graefen has been a key player in the Spartans ability to seamlessly transition from defense to offense with her ability to dribble through the opposition to push the ball forward. On the season, she has three goals and two assists for eight points and is one of seven Spartans to start all 17 games.
The UD defense leads the Iowa Conference in goals against average (0.93) and fewest goals allowed (16). Dubuque is second in the IIAC in fewest shots on goal allowed at 79. The Spartans are currently 13-4 overall, 4-2 in the Iowa Conference and ranked seventh in the NSCAA North Region Poll for October 29th. UD has also qualified for the Iowa Conference Tournament for the tenth consecutive year.
Other UD Women’s Soccer student-athletes to be named Iowa Conference Performer of the Week during the 2013 season are: Tiffany Duncan (Defensive, 10/14/13), Katie Lynn (Offensive, 9/9/13), and Alexandra Watkins (Offensive, 9/2/13).
The complete list of IIAC Performers of the Week can be found at: IIAC - Athletes of the Week
UP NEXT: The Spartans will travel to Simpson College (4-14-1, 2-3-1) for their last regular season game of the season on October 29th. Game time in Indianola is 4:30 pm.
LIVE Video/Stats available at: UD Women's Soccer Video/Stats
Follow all UD Athletics action on Twitter at: @UDubuqueSports
