AU ROUNDUP: Soccer’s Whitworth honored by SEC

By OANow Staff

Published: August 25, 2008

It didn’t take long for the Auburn soccer team to be recognized by the Southeastern Conference.

Just two games, actually.

The Tigers team opened up their season Friday with a 9-0 victory over Grambling State. Sunday, Auburn beat UAB, 1-0, on Sunday.

Monday, it was award time. Auburn senior goalkeeper Allison Whitworth was tabbed the SEC Defensive Player of the Week.

Whitworth, from Birmingham, made five saves over the weekend to bring her career total up to 229, which ranks third all-time at Auburn.

Splitting time in net with Skylar Brinegar in Auburn’s 9-0 win over Grambling State, Whitworth was credited with just one shutout on the weekend as she played all 90 minutes in the 1-0 win over UAB.

With the shutout on Sunday, she has now recorded 15 in her career, second only to former All-American keeper Megan Rivera’s 33 in the Auburn annals.

“It’s a great honor to be the SEC Defensive Player of the Week but it should really go to the entire defense for clearing balls off the goal line, keeping it out of the box and keeping shots from being taken,” Whitworth said.

Whitworth has now been named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week three times in her career.