Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirl Duo Honored
November 22, 2011 | Cowgirl Soccer
Nov. 22, 2011
STILLWATER, Okla. – A pair of Oklahoma State Cowgirls were honored by national publications for their play last weekend in leading OSU to a second-straight Elite Eight appearance at the NCAA Women's Soccer Championship.
Annika Niemeier and AD Franch both earned spots on the TopDrawerSoccer.com Team of the Week, while Niemeier was also named a CollegeSoccer360.com Primetime Performer of the Week.
Niemeier, a sixth-year senior from Germany, scored both of OSU's goals on the weekend as the Cowgirls picked up a 1-0 win over Illinois in the second round before knocking off Maryland by the same score in Sweet 16 action.
A midfielder for the Cowgirls, Niemeier has missed 10 games this season due to injury but returned to the lineup late in the season. She has scored four goals on the year, each of them coming in the NCAA Soccer Championship.
Franch continued her record-setting performances in goal for the Cowgirls. The junior recorded a pair of shutouts on the weekend, her 11th and 12th of the season. Against Illinois, she matched a season high with seven saves, then had a pair of saves vs. Maryland, including stopping a penalty kick early in the match that would have tied the score.
Franch's 12 shutouts set a new school record as the Salina, Kan. native bested her own previous record of 11, which she set during her freshman season in 2009. She has 12 shutouts in 19 games this season and has racked up 32 in her career.
The play of Niemeier and Franch helped OSU set a school record for wins as the Cowgirls are 22-1-2 entering Friday's quarterfinals match at No. 1 Stanford.
