Oct. 15, 2012

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Saint Joseph’s Mo Hawkins earned Atlantic 10 Conference Women’s Soccer Player of the Week, while Rhode Island’s Ellie Bailes and Duquesne’s Amy Vinopal share Co-Rookie of the Week honors, the league office announced Monday. The awards are for games played Oct. 12-14.

Hawkins earned Player of the Week honors after leading the Hawks to a 2-0 weekend, scoring or assisting in nearly every goal versus Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The junior midfielder scored the opening goal against Massachusetts on Friday (Oct. 12), a team-leading sixth of the season, and assisted on the eventual game-winner. On Sunday (Oct. 14), the Philadelphia, Pa., native set up Olivia McEachern’s breakaway goal, tallying her second game-winning assist of the weekend in a 2-0 win over Rhode Island. Saint Joseph’s improved to 8-5-2 overall and 3-1-1 in conference play with the two victories last weekend.

Vinopal garnered Co-Rookie of the Week honors for her performance in Duquesne’s only contest of the weekend, a 3-2 win against St. Bonaventure (Oct. 12). Vinopal scored her first two career goals, including the game-winner against the Bonnies on Friday. The Youngstown, Ohio, native registered two shots on goal in the win, finding the back of the net on both. Her second goal in the 83rd minute proved to be enough to hold off St. Bonaventure. Duquesne improved to 5-8-2 overall and 1-3-1 in league play.

Bailes was named Co-Rookie of the Week for her offensive effort in the Rams’ road win and first conference victory against Temple on Friday (Oct. 12). Bailes scored both of Rhode Island’s goals, including the winning tally in overtime. The midfielder from Maidstone Kent, England, recorded five shots in the contest, including three on goal. She is tied for second on the team with four goals on the season. Rhode Island improved to 8-6-1 overall, and 1-3-0 in A-10 play.

About the A-10

The Atlantic 10 Conference was formed in 1976. Currently comprised of 16 member institutions and sponsoring 21 championship sports, the mission and goal of the Atlantic 10 is to preserve, protect, and enhance the academic and athletic pursuits of the membership. The conference is committed to integrity, educational excellence and providing quality equitable championship experiences for more than 6,000 student-athletes, coaches, and support staff. The member institutions of the Atlantic 10 are Butler University, the University of Dayton, Duquesne University, Fordham University, The George Washington University, La Salle University, University of Massachusetts, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, University of Rhode Island, University of Richmond, St. Bonaventure University, Saint Joseph's University, Saint Louis University, Temple University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Xavier University.