NEW ORLEANS - Middle Tennessee sophomore forward Shan Jones was selected as the Aug. 25 Sun Belt Player of the Week it was announced Tuesday by the league office. The honor is the first in her career and the first of the season in the league.
"We are certainly pleased Shan got this award, especially given the good results all the teams had over the weekend," Blue Raider head coach Aston Rhoden said. "We are hoping she can continue to play well and remain injury-free."
Jones, a native of Y Felinheli, Wales, becomes the first Middle Tennessee soccer player to garner the accolade since Holly Grogan Oct. 30, 2007. Overall, it is the 15th award in program history and Jones becomes the seventh different Blue Raider to receive it.
She had a stellar week to start the season, scoring a school-record tying four goals in the 11-1 home-opening victory over Alabama A&M Sunday. She netted the team's first two goals of both halves to equal the school standard.
Jones added an assist against the Bulldogs, in addition to being credited with a helper in Friday's 4-0 season-opening win at Tennessee Tech.
On the week, her four goals and 10 points are currently tops in the Sun Belt. Her four goals scored against Alabama A&M came on four shots, a 100.0 shooting percentage. She has taken only six attempts on goal in the two matches for a 66.7 overall shooting percentage through the week.
Jones was a 2009 Preseason All-Sun Belt Team pick following a rookie campaign in which she was tabbed the 2008 Sun Belt Freshman of the Year and named First Team All-Sun Belt. She also was recognized on the Soccer Buzz Central Region All-Freshman Team.
The Blue Raiders also moved into 10th in this week's National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) South Region poll following its two victories. MT is the only school among the Top 10 to play two matches opening weekend.
Middle Tennessee holds the only 2-0 record among the 12 teams in the league. The Blue Raiders will return to action with a pair of games in Dayton, Ohio, this weekend. The set begins at 6 p.m. Central Friday against Wright State before a Noon Central Sunday start against Dayton.
Print this article
