FARMINGTON, Utah (September 3, 2019) – Northern Arizona junior forward
Paige Maling was named the Offensive Player of the Week from the Big Sky Conference for the period ending Sept. 3 after a 4-0 win against Detroit Mercy on Sept. 1.
This marks the first time Maling has been awarded as a Player of the Week. This also is the first time in two years an NAU offensive player was decided by the Big Sky to earn a weekly conference honor. Last season,
Carly Gamble was named the Big Sky's Defensive of the Week.
During her 80 minutes of action on Sunday, she took a total of seven shots with five being on goal. Maling scored two out of the four goals against Detroit Mercy. Both goals were within a minute and a half of each other. This gave the 'Jacks a 3-0 advantage just 30 minutes into the game.
Tatum Heeres set up Maling on her first strike with a cross into the left corner in the 26th minute. Maling's second goal came unassisted in the 28th minute. She now leads the Big Sky with six points and three goals.
Last season, Maling recorded three goals. Already at the beginning of the 2019 season, she has scored that many in just the last two games. She'salso started and played in all three games, recording a total of 245 minutes.
Northern Arizona will be heading to California this weekend to play a pair of games. On Friday, Sept. 6, the 'Jacks will be challenging USC at 3 p.m. MST. Following shortly after, NAU will battle the Pacific on Sunday, Sept. 8 at 1 p.m.
