Eastern Washington and Eastern Oregon are both headed to the postseason with Kelsee Winston (Pasco, WA) and Carlos Solorio guiding them to victories against previously unbeaten sides on the weekend.
The reigning Big Sky Champion Eagles were on the verge of not even qualifying for the playoffs, but goalkeeper Kelsee Winston came up big for EWU on the weekend with a pair of shutouts on the road to earn the INWsn Player of the Week nod. They kept themselves alive Friday with a narrow 1-0 win at previously undefeated Northern Arizona and then secured a spot in the conference tournament with another clean sheet for a 2-0 win at Southern Utah.
Eastern Oregon put themselves in good position for a top four seed in the Cascade Conference tournament thanks to a pair of home wins. Carlos Solorio led the way again, earning his second INWsn Player of the Week honor in three weeks. He scored both goals in a 2-1 victory against undefeated Corban that could cost the Warriors the league title and then scored the game-winner in a 2-1 result against Northwest Christian.
For games through Sunday, October 21
WOMEN
G - Makayla Presgrave (Saint Maries, ID) - Idaho :: Five saves in a 2-0 win at Southern Utah another seven stops in a scoreless draw against Northern Arizona to finish the month without a single goal allowed.
G - Hannah Simpson (Star, ID) - Treasure Valley :: She made six saves in a 1-1 draw against Wenatchee Valley and then registered a shutout against Yakima with eight saves for a 0-0 draw. This is her second selection.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK :: G - Kelsee Winston (Pasco, WA) - Eastern Washington :: Six saves in a 1-0 road win at previously unbeaten Northern Arizona and made another eight stops in a 2-0 victory at Southern Utah that locked up their spot in the conference tournament.
D - Josee Bassett (Coeur d'Alene, ID) - Eastern Oregon :: She helped lead the defense in a 1-0 win against Corban, and in addition to another shutout performance set up the winning goal in their 2-0 win against Northwest Christian. This is her second selection.
D - Kelly Dopke - Idaho :: Scored the opening goal in a 2-0 victory at Southern Utah and helped lead the defense in a 0-0 draw at Northern Arizona. This is her second selection. (Arcadia, CA)
D - Caitlin Rogers - Montana :: Set up the game-winner for the Grizzlies and the insurance goal as they clinched a playoff spot with a 3-1 win at Sacramento State. She also helped lead the Griz to a 1-0 win at Portland State. (Murrieta, CA)
D - Emily Russell (Kennewick, WA) - Central Washington :: Scored the winning goal in a 1-0 victory against Saint Martin's in which they allowed just four shots (one on goal) and helped lead the defense in a 1-0 shutout win against MSU Billings in which they only allowed five shots (three on goal).
M - Taylor Boyer - Eastern Oregon :: Scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 win against Corban and in a 2-0 victory against Northwest Christian. This is her third selection. (Eugene, OR)
F - Rylee Rassier (Spokane, WA) - Northwest University :: Scored the opening goal and set up the second to hand 6-0-2 Carroll its first loss in league play.
F - Camryn Wendlandt (Coeur d'Alene, ID) - Baylor :: Scored the game-winner for a 1-0 victory against Kansas and tallied the equalizer in a 3-1 win against Kansas.
F - Megan Wilkinson (Pasco, WA) - CC Spokane :: Set up the opening goal and scored the second in a 2-0 win at Walla Walla.
MEN
G - Caleb Garbuio - CC Spokane :: Posted a pair of shutouts for the Bigfoot, making two saves in a 0-0 draw at leaders Walla Walla and three in a 1-0 win against then second place Columbia Basin. (Logan, UT)
G - Alex Grimaldo (Caldwell, ID) - Walla Walla CC :: Posted a pair of shutouts on the week with four saves in a scoreless battle against Spokane and one in a 4-0 win at North Idaho.
G - Tor Saunders (Spokane, WA) - Akron :: Made eight saves for the Zips in a shutout victory over eighth-ranked Creighton.
D - Fernando Gutierrez - Providence :: Scored both goals to rally the Argos to a 2-1 win at Northwest University. (Ibiza, Spain)
M - Bekir Cinac (Boise, ID) - College of Idaho :: Scored for the Yotes in a 4-1 win at Multnomah and tallied in a 4-3 victory at Warner Pacific.
M - Paul Cuevas (Yakima, WA) - Skagit Valley :: Scored the first three goals in a 5-2 victory at Shoreline. He also scored their lone goal in a 4-1 loss to Peninsula. This is his second selection.
M - Emilio Meraz-Rodriguez (Pasco, WA) - Evergreen State :: Set up the first two goals in a 3-1 victory against Carroll. This is his fifth selection.
F - Johan Espinoza (Wenatchee, WA) - Wenatchee Valley :: Tallied goal and assist in a 2-0 win at Treasure Valley. He also tallied a goal and assist in the 8-1 thumping of Blue Mountain. This is his fourth selection.
F - Ricardo Palomino - MSU Billings :: Scored three unanswered goals to lead the Yellowjackets to a 4-2 victory at Northwest Nazarene. This is his second selection. (Puebla, Mexico)
F - Miguel Rodriguez (Milton-Freewater, OR) - Walla Walla CC :: Scored twice in the Warriors' 4-0 win at North Idaho.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK :: F - Carlos Solorio - Eastern Oregon :: Scored both goals in a 2-1 victory over previously unbeaten Corban and tallied what proved to be the game-winner in a 2-1 victory against Northwest Christian. This is his second selection, earning POTW both times. (Los Angeles, CA)
About INWsn Best XI: Each week INWsoccernews will release lists of the week’s best performances for men’s and women’s soccer in the region, recognizing players at schools in the region or those from the area that play elsewhere in the nation. The list is extremely flexible and has no defined formation, despite featuring 11 players (when number of results/games allow). The Best XI was launched with the start of the site's collegiate coverage in 2012, continued through 2014 and was re-launched in 2017 after a two-year absence. The list is issued (typically) Tue-Wed during the college season.
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