Shutout propels Staufenbiel to A.I.I. Player of the Week award

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. -- On the strength of yet another clean sheet in goal, Bellevue University senior Sabrina Staufenbiel (Monchengladbach, Germany) has been named the Association of Independent Institutions' Women's Soccer Player of the Week, as announced by the A.I.I. office on Monday.

Staufenbiel totaled seven saves in BU's 1-0 win over Kansas Wesleyan on Saturday including coming up big on a pair of shots off corner kicks.

As KWU controlled possession in the second half, Staufenbiel recorded five of her seven saves in the second period with the Coyotes holding a 10-1 advantage in shots over the final 45 minutes. Staufenbiel's biggest stop came in the 89^th minute off a KWU corner as she turned away a redirect with a reflexive save to keep the Bruins in front.

The shutout was her eighth of the season as the Bruins have now kept 10 clean sheets as a team. For the season, Bellevue has conceded just a single goal in two games with one coming on a penalty and the other on a World Class strike in overtime.

Nationally, Staufenbiel leads the NAIA in both goals against average (0.19) and save percentage (.947) among goalkeepers who have played in at least four games. Her seven saves were one off her season-high and the most she has recorded in a victory on the year.

BU (10-2-0), receiving votes in the latest Coaches' Top 25, hosts College of St. Mary on Saturday, Mar. 13 at 2 p.m. from Bellevue East High School.