Aug. 28, 2006

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - After a weekend that saw the University of Memphis women's soccer team blow out its two opening opponents by a combined 15 goals, the praise for the Lady Tigers kept coming Monday when the Conference USA office announced that Shoko Mikami and Isabel Briones swept the league's Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week awards, respectively.

Mikami, the reigning C-USA Offensive Player of the Year, led the Lady Tigers in scoring this weekend, netting three goals apiece against both Tennessee-Tech and UT-Martin. Mikami also chipped in an assist in Memphis' 7-0 win over UT-Martin, giving her 13 total points.

Mikami and teammate Kylie Hayes are on the verge of smashing Memphis' offensive record book. In only her second full year with the Lady Tigers, Mikami now finds herself at the No. 2 spot on the all-time list in points and goals and No. 4 in assists. Hayes, who is only a sophomore, is third in goals and tied with Mikami for fourth in multi-goal games.

Briones picked up a pair of shutouts and had three saves on the weekend. The junior now has nine shutouts for her career, moving her into second place all-time and just five short of the Memphis record. She also 14 wins, seven away from the Lady Tiger record of 21.