FRISCO, Texas - Fresh off their first win of the season, the Lamar University soccer team received its first Southland Conference Player of the Week award for the 2024 season as Arely Alaniz was announced as the Defensive Player of the Week by the conference Tuesday. The accolade is the second of Alaniz's career. 

Last week, Alaniz recorded a goal and an assist while firing five shots in LU's two contests. Against Rice, she netted her first goal of the season off a free kick in the 14th minute to give the Cardinals an early 1-0 lead before they would fall 2-1 to the Owls. On Sunday, she was on the assist for Rafiatu Alhassan's goal in the 32nd minute against Sam Houston, which keyed a 2-1 victory. 

Defensively, after LU conceded two first-half goals to the Owls, Alaniz, and the Cardinals would not allow a goal for 115 minutes while defending 14 shots in that stretch. The Deer Park native has also had six consecutive matches where she has played in all 90 minutes, which dates back to the NCAA First Round match against Texas. 

The Cardinals are on the road this Thursday night in Mobile, Ala., to take on South Alabama at 7:00 p.m. 

 

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