CENTER VALLEY, Pa. – The Patriot League released its first women's soccer Player of the Week awards for the 2019 season on Monday afternoon, with two Loyola University Maryland standouts included among those recognized.
Senior
Hannah Hoefs was selected as the Midfielder of the Week, while sophomore
Sarah Bayer earned Offensive Player of the Week status. Both were heavy contributors to the Greyhounds' 2-1 overtime victory over Seton Hall at Ridley Athletic Complex on Sunday.
Hoefs got Loyola on the scoreboard with a stellar free kick in the 39th minute. After Bayer drew a foul just outside the box, Hoefs sent a shot over the visitors' wall and into the top left corner to level the game at 1-1.
Both award recipients featured on Loyola's game-winning goal in overtime. Hoefs began the play by finding sophomore
Ariel Tillman in the offensive end. Tillman then worked her way around two Pirate defenders before passing to Bayer just outside the box. Bayer did the rest, spinning past another defender and beating the goalkeeper on a low shot into the right corner.
The goal was Bayer's fifth in 18 collegiate games at Loyola, and it was her third game-winner during that span. A second team All-Patriot League selection last fall, she receives her second career weekly award after previously earning Rookie of the Week status last October.
Hoefs has now contributed three goals and three assists in the Greyhounds' past three games dating back to last season. She also had an assist during Loyola's scheduled 2019 opener vs. St. Francis which was ultimately cancelled due to lightning. A third team All-Patriot League honoree in 2018, Hoefs earns her second-career Midfielder of the Week award.
Loyola returns to action on Thursday night, traveling to VCU for a road tilt beginning at 7 p.m.