Aug. 23, 2010

Memphis, Tenn. – University of Memphis freshman forward Rasheeda Ansari was selected Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week as announced by the league office on Monday.

Making her home debut, the speedy freshman was credited with the game-winner in the 23rd minute in a 3-0 victory against Samford on Sunday. Ansari scored again in the 59th minute to become the first Memphis women's soccer player to record two goals in her home debut. She started the Samford game, as well as the season-opening 2-1 victory at Saint Louis on Friday, to give the No. 18 Tigers a 2-0-0 start to the season. This is her first Offensive Player of the Week honor.

“Rasheeda really has some tools to be a successful student-athlete for this team,” head coach Brooks Monaghan said. “We have been working with her on her focus around the goal and her ability to cross and finish. It was great to see her get those goals and that should give her more confidence.”

Ansari is the fifth freshman to take home C-USA Offensive Player of the Week honors in the last five seasons and the 16^th Lady Tiger to earn C-USA Offensive Player of the Week honors.

The Lady Tigers return to action on Saturday at 7 p.m. when LSU travels to the Bluff City for a key non-conference match.