NJAC Announces Weekly Women’s Soccer Award Winners
PITMAN, NJ – Rutgers-Newark’s Mariana Valencia, Montclair State’s salange Bell, and William Paterson’s Samantha Donovan have been recognized by the New jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) for their outstanding performances during the week ending September 14, earning Offensive Player, Defensive Player, and Rookie of the Week honors, respectively. The awards highlight a strong week of competition within the conference as teams continue their seasons.
Valencia, a senior forward for the scarlet Raiders, exploded for seven points in two matches, including a hat trick in just 20 minutes of play during an 11-0 victory over St. Joseph’s (Brooklyn). She also added an assist in that game and registered five shots in a narrow 3-2 loss to FDU-Florham. Valencia finished the week with nine total shots, five on goal, and a 75 percent shooting accuracy across 94 minutes. She is currently tied for fourth in the NJAC with eight points on the season.
Bell, a sophomore goalkeeper and the reigning NJAC Goalkeeper of the year, anchored the Red Hawks’ defence through a three-match unbeaten week, allowing only one goal in 250:35 of action. She recorded a season-high four saves in a 1-1 draw against SUNY New Paltz and secured her second shutout of the year with two saves in a 4-0 win over Manhattanville. Bell finished the week with seven total saves and a .875 save percentage,currently leading all NJAC goalies with a .418 goals against average.
Rounding out the weekly awards, William Paterson freshman midfielder Samantha Donovan earned Rookie of the Week honors after scoring her first career goal – the game-winner – in the 50th minute of the pioneers’ 2-1 home victory over Penn State Abington. Donovan also appeared in WPU’s 1-0 loss to Eastern, contributing to a 1-1 week for the team.
