Aug. 29, 2011

IRVING, Texas - After scoring the game winning goal in Sunday's 2-0 victory at Samford, University of Memphis women's soccer defender Christie Kline was named the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week as announced by the league office on Monday.

"I am delighted for Christie to get this award," head coach Brooks Monaghan said. "Christie puts in the work every day and she is extremely coachable. She has improved so much over her career here and this award is a special one for me. I am ecstatic for her to get this award and it's an example of how hard work pays off."

Kline and the Lady Tiger defense limited Alabama to one shot on goal in the 1-0 victory in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Friday. On Sunday, the Leawood, Kan., native scored her first career goal on a header in the 31st minute. Kline and the defense limited Samford to two shots in the first half and seven total shots.

On the weekend, the Memphis defense held opponents to just three shots on goal and came up with one team save in Sunday's match. On the season, the U of M defense has held opponents to nine shots on goal in four matches.

"Our defense has played very well and we continue to get better with each match," Monaghan said. "I am never 100 percent satisfied with our play back there, but we are stepping up when we need to. We hope to keep moving forward and continuing to improve in the back."

This is Kline's first weekly honor and the second-straight C-USA Defensive Player of the Week from the U of M this season. The selection marks the second time the program has earned back-to-back defensive player of the week selections. The selection is the 14th time a U of M student-athlete has earned defensive player of the week honors.

Memphis concludes a three-game road swing on Sunday at Western Kentucky with kickoff set for 1 p.m. The Lady Tigers return to Mike Rose Soccer Complex on Sept. 9, hosting Ole Miss in a 7 p.m. clash.