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UTEP Freshman Keeper Chandra Morden Nabs C-USA Honor
Sept. 2, 2008
UTEP freshman goalkeeper Chandra Morden has been tabbed as the Conference USA defensive player of the week after turning in sterling performances in a pair of 1-0 UTEP wins over the weekend, the league office announced on Tuesday.
The distinction is the first for the Orange and Blue this year, who have now claimed a league-tying best 14 C-USA player of the week awards since joining it in 2005. To further appreciate that feat, consider that the Miners had a combined 14 POW winners from 1996-2004.
Morden’s recognition marks the sixth time in the past seven years that an Orange and Blue goalkeeper has been so honored. Kyla Clark, Carol Moore, Brittany Popoff and Jessica Salvi reaped a combined eight awards during that timeframe. What makes Morden’s achievement stand out is that of those eight honors, seven were snared by upperclassmen.
The native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, recorded consecutive shutouts to help lead the Orange and Blue to the crown at the 11th-Annual Miners Classic. She made six saves on the weekend, including four stops against Texas State on Friday.
Against the Bobcats, two of the stops were of the point-blank variety while another was made while using perfect technique to punch a shot over the net.
For an encore, Morden registered two saves while flying off her line twice to secure potentially dangerous through balls in the tilt against Louisiana Lafayette.
Morden and the rest of the Miners will be back in action against South Dakota on Sept. 5 at 7 p.m. at University Field.
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