Kansas City, Mo. – Lexis Garcia of Indiana Wesleyan has been named the NAIA National Women's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week and Sam Castaneda of Indiana Wesleyan has been named the NAIA National Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week, the national office announced Tuesday. The two student-athletes were nominated for their performances during the week of Oct. 7 – 13 and were selected out of a pool of conference and Association of Independent Institutions award winners.

Defensive Player of the Week

Sam Castaneda, Indiana Wesleyan

Fr., GK, Fort Wayne, Ind.

• Recorded one shutout and a pair of upset wins over Top 20 teams
• Weekly Stats:
  • Eight-save shutout over No. 15 Marian (Ind.)
  • Allowed one goal and preserved the win over No. 16 Grace (Ind.)
  • 17 saves in the two wins

Offensive Player of the Week

Lexis Garcia, Indiana Wesleyan

Sr., MF, Placentia, Calif.

• Netted both game winners against No. 16 Grace and No. 15 Marian.
• Led the Wildcat offense to two upset wins
• Weekly Stats:
  • Three goals
  • Two game-winning goals

Offensive Nominees: McKenzie Gourley, William Woods (Mo.) ; Ashlen Burch, Milligan (Tenn.) ; Chanel Cundy, Providence Christian (Calif.) ; Callie Wright, Northwest (Wash.) ; Tori Timerman, St. Ambrose (Iowa) ; Bri Johnson, Westmont (Calif.) ; Nayeli Rodriguez, Midland (Neb.) ; Judith Sainz, Central Methodist (Mo.) ; Juliana Lopez, Bethany (Kan.) ; Marie Bathe, Cumberland (Tenn.) ; Karen Jacobs, LSU Alexandria (La.) ; Regan Snyder, Midway (Ky.) ; Taylor Moore, Wayland Baptist (Texas) ; Cheyne Bush, Mobile (Ala.) ; Savannah Jackson, Johnson & Wales (Fla.) ; Megan Verant, Madonna (Mich.)

Defensive Nominees: Jemica Artillaga, Missouri Baptist ; Marissa Harkins, Truett-McConnell (Ga.) ; Anekha Birdi, Antelope Valley (Calif.) ; Kelly Sylvester, Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) ; Jenna Evertz, Providence (Mont.) (Mont.) ; Gabi Haw, Westmont (Calif.) ; Sarah Carpenter, Hastings (Neb.) ; Bailey Biffert, Evangel (Mo.) ; Joy Mertzig, Georgia Gwinnett ; Destinee Wells, Bethany (Kan.) ; Nicole Panis, Cumberlands (Ky.) ; Andrea Martinez, Southwest (N.M.) ; Kelsea Joseph, Indiana East (Ind.) ; Brooklyn Fink, Mid-America Christian (Okla.) ; Megan White, Faulkner (Ala.) ; Nina Haeberlin, Keiser (Fla.) ; Braeleigh Mccoy, Aquinas (Mich.)

2019-20 Women's Soccer Composite Award Winners (Defensive, Offensive)

Week 1 (September 11): Jessie Selby, Southern Oregon, Anya Castelli, Stephens (Mo.)

Week 2 (September 18): Taylor Rogers, Baker (Kan.), Emma Rice, Science & Arts (Okla.)

Week 3 (September 25): Gabi Haw, Westmont (Calif.), Rayssa Neres Souza, Oklahoma Wesleyan

Week 4 (October 02): Ruby Campa, Briar Cliff (Iowa), Araceli Soto, Soka (Calif.)

Week 5 (October 09): Caitlyn Logan, John Brown (Ark.), Kristen Howell, John Brown (Ark.)

Week 6 (October 16): Sam Castaneda, Indiana Wesleyan , Lexis Garcia, Indiana Wesleyan