Oct. 26, 2004

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford's Crystal Royall was named the Ohio Valley Conference's Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday, as the Bulldogs' senior goalkeeper garnered the honor for a school-record fourth time in five weeks.

Royall, who has earned defensive player of the week honors nine times in her career, holds Samford's all-time record for shutouts with 21.5 and has held seven opponents scoreless in 2004. So far this season, Royall owns a miniscule goals-against average of 0.50 and has accumulated a stellar .903 save percentage.

In two matches last week, Royall didn't allow a goal in 200:00 minutes of playing time and earned her sixth and seventh shutouts of the season. She staved off seven shots on goal against Coastal Carolina on Friday and then blanked Morehead State, 1-0, in Sunday's OVC championship-clinching match.

With Royall's shutout performance, Samford secured its second-straight OVC regular-season championship on Sunday and improved to an overall record of 9-5-1 on the season. The Bulldogs finished their 2004 conference schedule with a 7-1 record.

In only its second year in the OVC, Samford has won consecutive regular-season titles and will host the league's prestigious postseason tournament on Nov. 5-7. The winner of the 2004 OVC Championship will earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

The Bulldogs have won nine of their previous 11 contests and are in the midst of a five-match undefeated streak.

The 2004 OVC champion Samford University soccer team will next be in action on Friday, Oct. 29, as the Bulldogs host cross-town rival Birmingham-Southern at 7 p.m., at Bulldog Field. Prior to the match, Samford's five seniors will be honored with a special "Senior Day" presentation.

Ohio Valley Conference

Players of the Week

Oct. 26, 2004

Defensive Player of the Week: Crystal Royall, Sr., GK, Richmond, Va. - Samford

Offensive Player of the Week: Rebekah Kendall, Fr., F, Sissonville, W.Va. - Morehead State