ASU’s Padilla, Guyot earn weekly SWAC soccer honors
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (bamastatesports.com) – Alabama State’s Mercedes Padilla and Gianna Guyot have been recognized by the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) as the Defensive and Goalkeeper Soccer Players of the Week for their outstanding performance in competition during the week of September 5-12.
Padilla, a freshman, drew the majority of man-to-man coverage on Lipscomb top scorer Olivia Doak this past Friday and held her without a point.
Doak had entered the match with a team-leading six goals.
Padilla played the full 90 minutes and broke up several passes including one in which she headed the ball out of harm’s way in front of ASU’s goal.
Guyot, a sophomore, made three saves and played the full 90 minutes against Lipscomb in a 1-0 defeat that was decided by a penalty kick in the 84th minute.
Lipscomb (6-1-1) had defeated SEC teams Vanderbilt and Mississippi State as well as other quality opponents Middle Tennessee and Austin Peay this season.
“She’s [Padilla] been playing hard and I thought she deserved it,” said ASU head coach Jodie Smith.
“Our whole back line has been working hard. For her to come in as a freshman and take on a leadership role-especially on the back line-I’m pleased and hoping for some more good things to come. She’s strong in the air and a hard-nosed defender.”
For Guyot, it marks her second career SWAC Goalkeeper of the Week honor.
She had last received the award on October 14, 2015.
“I thought that was one of G’s best games for a while now,” Smith said.
“She organized the defense and made some key saves, which kept us in the game and that’s what the goalkeeper needs to do. That PK went off the post so it’s one where I don’t think she’s going to get that ball.”
