Tanya wins the SEC Defensive Player of the Week
De Souza Earns SEC Defensive Player of the Week Honors
September 06, 2016 | Soccer
STARKVILLE, Miss. – After collecting nine saves in Mississippi State's double-overtime win against South Alabama on Friday, junior Tanya de Souza has claimed her first Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week honor, the league office announced Tuesday afternoon.
De Souza is the first MSU goalkeeper to win the defensive accolade since Skylar Rosson did it on Oct. 17, 2011.
"This is a huge honor and I'm so proud to earn this award," de Souza said. "My mother and little brothers watch everyone of my games back home in France, so anytime I perform well is a reward for them staying up until 2:30 in the morning to see me play."
De Souza provided a game-saving stop in the 84th minute, as the junior blocked a Rio Hardy penalty kick to preserve the 1-1 tie. In the 101st minute, MSU finally knocked USA off as freshman McKenna de Graaf scored the game-winner. The win for State was the first road overtime win for the program since 2004.
"After I stopped the PK, I felt like our energy was lifted and we believed we could win the game," de Souza said. "We played a great defensive game against South Alabama and I didn't want to let my teammates down so that moment was huge. This season has been great so far and I feel like we are in a great position as a team, so I am excited to get back out on the field this Friday."
On the year the Paris, France native has 28 saves in total, which ranks third in the SEC. As a team the Bulldogs lead the league with 35 saves. De Souza's 5.60 saves per game average and .848 save percentage ranks first and second in the SEC respectively.
Up Next:
The Bulldogs begin game one of a three-game homestand on Friday, Sept. 9, as MSU hosts 25th ranked Arkansas at 7 p.m. CT, before closing out the weekend on Sunday against Louisiana-Lafayette at 1 p.m. CT.
Social Media:
For more information on the Mississippi State soccer program, follow "HailStateSOC" on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
De Souza is the first MSU goalkeeper to win the defensive accolade since Skylar Rosson did it on Oct. 17, 2011.
"This is a huge honor and I'm so proud to earn this award," de Souza said. "My mother and little brothers watch everyone of my games back home in France, so anytime I perform well is a reward for them staying up until 2:30 in the morning to see me play."
De Souza provided a game-saving stop in the 84th minute, as the junior blocked a Rio Hardy penalty kick to preserve the 1-1 tie. In the 101st minute, MSU finally knocked USA off as freshman McKenna de Graaf scored the game-winner. The win for State was the first road overtime win for the program since 2004.
"After I stopped the PK, I felt like our energy was lifted and we believed we could win the game," de Souza said. "We played a great defensive game against South Alabama and I didn't want to let my teammates down so that moment was huge. This season has been great so far and I feel like we are in a great position as a team, so I am excited to get back out on the field this Friday."
On the year the Paris, France native has 28 saves in total, which ranks third in the SEC. As a team the Bulldogs lead the league with 35 saves. De Souza's 5.60 saves per game average and .848 save percentage ranks first and second in the SEC respectively.
Up Next:
The Bulldogs begin game one of a three-game homestand on Friday, Sept. 9, as MSU hosts 25th ranked Arkansas at 7 p.m. CT, before closing out the weekend on Sunday against Louisiana-Lafayette at 1 p.m. CT.
Social Media:
For more information on the Mississippi State soccer program, follow "HailStateSOC" on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
D
/ Soccer
GK
/ SoccerSOCCER | Lipscomb Postgame Press Conference
Saturday, November 15
SOCCER | Nick Zimmerman and Players Press Conference vs. Lipscomb
Saturday, November 15
SOCCER | Nick Zimmerman and Zoe Main Media Session
Saturday, November 15
SOCCER | Nick Zimmerman Media Session
Monday, November 10