Sept. 5, 2006

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. - Samford soccer players Shay Helmbock and Cayley Winters were each awarded with weekly Ohio Valley Conference honors Tuesday. Helmbock was named the OVC's defensive player of the week, while Winters received the goalkeeper of the week honor.

Helmbock, a senior defender from Carmel, Ind., earned the first OVC weekly honor of her collegiate career Tuesday. She scored the first goal of her career in Samford's 4-0 victory over Arkansas State on Saturday and helped lead the Bulldogs to a pair of shutout wins over the weekend.

Winters received the second OVC weekly honor of her collegiate career Tuesday. Last season, she was named the conference's defensive player of the year Oct. 18.

A native of Littleton, Colo., Winters didn't allow a goal in 161:22 minutes of play last week as the Bulldogs posted a perfect 2-0 record at the 2006 Nike Lady Tiger Fall Tournament. She also earned her first solo shutout of the season against host Memphis. Winters registered a season-high eight saves in the 1-0 victory.

Eastern Illinois' Kellie Floyd was named the OVC's offensive player of the week.

In two weeks this season, Samford has already earned three OVC player of the week honors. Last week, Cassie Applegate earned the league's offensive award.

The Samford University soccer team will next be in action Friday as the Bulldogs open their home schedule at 7 p.m., against the Birmingham-Southern Panthers.

Samford's intra-city matchup will be the second game of the opening day of the 2006 Barber's Classic held at Bulldog Field. Austin Peay and Winthrop will square off in the opener beginning at 4:30 p.m.